alertness

1 a close attentiveness to avoiding danger drove through the fog with extra alertness, as the road signs repeatedly warned of deer and moose crossings Synonyms caution, care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, circumspection, gingerliness, guardedness, heedfulness, prudence, warinessRelated Words attentiveness, observance, vigilance, watchfulness; foresight, foresightedness, providence; calculation, canniness, deliberateness, deliberation, shrewdnessNear Antonyms abruptness, hastiness, impetuousness, precipitousness, rashness, suddenness; inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessnessAntonyms brashness, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, recklessness, unwariness

2 the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger we observed the U.S. border patrol's intensified alertness for drug smugglers at the border stations Synonyms alert, vigilance, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, watch, watchfulnessRelated Words aliveness, awareness, consciousness, mindfulness, receptiveness, receptivity, sensitivity; care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, heedfulness, wariness; preparation, readinessNear Antonyms absentmindedness, abstraction, daydreaming, daze, distraction; absorption, engrossment, obliviousness, preoccupation; unawareness, unconsciousness; carelessness, heedlessness, inattention, inattentiveness, inobservance; unwariness