1
as in carefulness
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in watchfulness
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alertness
Enzymes convert cholesterol into cortisol, which is discharged from the outer layer of the adrenal glands, to sharpen alertness.
—
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Boost Energy and Alertness Taking a walk in the morning has been associated with lower daytime sleepiness and improved alertness during the day.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Even mild dehydration can lead to headaches, dry skin, dizziness, lower alertness, poor attention, irritability, and fatigue.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 17 Feb. 2026
Even a 20- to 40-minute wind-down helps move the body from alertness into a restorative state.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
This type of short-term stress can sharpen focus and alertness.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The circadian rhythm, the body’s natural alarm clock that will suppress melatonin in the morning and increase alertness, is triggered by sunlight.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 4 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Some studies suggest that mild sensory input may increase alertness in specific populations – such as older adults training to improve their balance or people in rehabilitation for sensory loss – but these effects are modest and highly dependent on context.
—Atom Sarkar, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2026
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Boost Energy and Alertness Taking a walk in the morning has been associated with lower daytime sleepiness and improved alertness during the day.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Even mild dehydration can lead to headaches, dry skin, dizziness, lower alertness, poor attention, irritability, and fatigue.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 17 Feb. 2026
Even a 20- to 40-minute wind-down helps move the body from alertness into a restorative state.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
This type of short-term stress can sharpen focus and alertness.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The circadian rhythm, the body’s natural alarm clock that will suppress melatonin in the morning and increase alertness, is triggered by sunlight.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 4 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Some studies suggest that mild sensory input may increase alertness in specific populations – such as older adults training to improve their balance or people in rehabilitation for sensory loss – but these effects are modest and highly dependent on context.
—Atom Sarkar, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness
Noun
-
Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Oil prices ticked higher on investor caution over whether a deal could ultimately be reached.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tools like OpenClaw can run for hours at a time, but for many early users, that autonomy comes with a new kind of vigilance—checking logs, reviewing outputs, and stepping in before things go wrong.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Her vigilance has no room for any notion of immortality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its name honors Elba, a former owner known for tending the garden with care and devotion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Housing and child care in particular are largely unavailable and unaffordable.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And watches priced over $64,000 (CHF 50,000) are completely dominating the market, making up 89 percent of growth in 2025.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2026
-
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Having both adequate owners’ capital against insolvency and deposit reserves against illiquidity were voluntary prudence early in this historical evolution.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Several airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines and Aeromexico, cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta when the violence and security alerts went into effect on Sunday.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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In addition to bird flu concerns among commercial and backyard flocks, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public to be on alert for sickness in wild birds as migration ramps up in the coming weeks.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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