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
An article previously shared by Newsweek explains that cats' sleeping postures can communicate comfort, alertness, or even stress.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Depending on your tolerance, this could be too much—or just the right amount—to help increase alertness.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
The current level is at Defcon 3, which means there is an increase in alertness and military readiness - aka as yellow alert.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At the end, Tengbjerg counted down, the audience cheered, and the judges groggily returned to alertness.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom can be a stimulant when used in low doses, increasing alertness and physical energy.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Drinking coffee before an important task, such as a work project or athletic activity, can help to increase energy and alertness and improve performance.
—Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Authorities have stepped up their cautionary tone in the past year in the hope of raising citizens’ alertness levels.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Higher levels of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC – a fat molecule involved in building cell membranes and hormone signaling – were linked to less sleepiness, possibly by maintaining brain alertness.
—New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Depending on your tolerance, this could be too much—or just the right amount—to help increase alertness.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
The current level is at Defcon 3, which means there is an increase in alertness and military readiness - aka as yellow alert.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At the end, Tengbjerg counted down, the audience cheered, and the judges groggily returned to alertness.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom can be a stimulant when used in low doses, increasing alertness and physical energy.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Drinking coffee before an important task, such as a work project or athletic activity, can help to increase energy and alertness and improve performance.
—Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Authorities have stepped up their cautionary tone in the past year in the hope of raising citizens’ alertness levels.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Higher levels of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC – a fat molecule involved in building cell membranes and hormone signaling – were linked to less sleepiness, possibly by maintaining brain alertness.
—New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness
Noun
-
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the same time, Iranian diplomats urged caution.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Local authorities, under increasing national pressure to take action against Tren de Aragua, redoubled their displays of vigilance.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That sets up a showdown over expiring Obamacare subsidies and other health-care funding priorities, with Democrats vowing to block any measure that ignores them and some moderate Republicans signaling openness to a deal to avoid steep premium hikes for millions of Americans.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of ad hoc testing, agree on consistent ways to show care (a daily check-in, a goodnight text, a weekly date).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Under his watch, the once-traditional fast-food chain had launched updatable menu screens in all restaurants and a sophisticated mobile app.—
Elie Ofek,
Harvard Business Review,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Ham-And-Cheese Sliders Grandma's stash of Hawaiian rolls is the secret to the perfect sliders, especially for a Sunday football watch party.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But those with long memories are tempering enthusiasm with prudence, remembering how the dot-com bubble led to unsustainable valuations and a painful crash.—
Tiz Gambacorta,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This was a chance for Biden to take the high road, to toe the fiscal line and display financial prudence.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Some saw the alerts on televisions in the West Wing, others on social media, according to White House staffers who discussed the events on the condition of anonymity.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
When the school sent out an emergency alert phone call, the simultaneous rings echoed up and down the line.—
Katie Langford,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thirty-three states have enacted legislation regarding school cellphone usage amid a growing push to restrict students’ smartphone access in schools, primarily due to mental health and concerns about academic attentiveness.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
-
This helps replicate the attentiveness of an in-store associate at scale.—
Charisma Glassman,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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