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
Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a night shift suppresses melatonin and enhances alertness.
—
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026
Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a shift suppresses melatonin and sharpens alertness.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Waters hopes that coaches would turn more to moderate caffeine use in an effort to provide alertness.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 15 May 2026
He was shaped in San Antonio by an environment that demanded alertness, self-command, and the ability to read the room quickly.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 May 2026
During and immediately after exercise, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins, which increase alertness and mood.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Effective for alertness and focus in the short term but not a long-term solution.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
That temporarily masks the sensation of fatigue and promotes alertness.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026
Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a shift suppresses melatonin and sharpens alertness.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Waters hopes that coaches would turn more to moderate caffeine use in an effort to provide alertness.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 15 May 2026
He was shaped in San Antonio by an environment that demanded alertness, self-command, and the ability to read the room quickly.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 May 2026
During and immediately after exercise, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins, which increase alertness and mood.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Effective for alertness and focus in the short term but not a long-term solution.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
That temporarily masks the sensation of fatigue and promotes alertness.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness
Noun
-
There was no carefulness in it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
-
In nine short, potent chapters, Beckerman lays out the essential traits of an effective dissident — loyalty, recklessness and watchfulness, among them — to illustrate how communities of resistance are built from the ground up.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Her caution might also have stemmed from the knowledge that Denise and Mohamed were nearing the end of their sentences.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Small craft should exercise caution over the Atlantic waters and Keys waters due to choppy conditions on the bays and nearshore.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Traditionally, maintaining vigilance in places like the South China Sea requires constant Naval patrols, which are expensive.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
Not fear, but disciplined vigilance.—
Manny Khan,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
From the concierge who nimbly assisted me with dining and fitness class reservations to the kind dining staff, the friendly Miami team made sure I was always taken care of and was incredibly helpful at offering local recommendations and insight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
As a result, New Zealand's Health and Disability Commissioner has found that those responsible for the girl's welfare did not communicate effectively and also lacked culturally appropriate care.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The batteries are commonly found in products including phones, watches, e-cigarettes, hoverboards and appliances.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Come football season, this chowder is an easy thing to serve at a watch party.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
This time, prudence with such planning would be sage.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
-
That prudence by supporters of the center, including County Commissioner Raquel Regalado and Judge Steve Leifman, is now being used against them to keep the center in limbo.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Curtail their use during air quality alerts.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
19 May 2026
-
Minimize their use during air quality alerts.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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