as in watch
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
the paparazzi were on red alert for sightings of the hot new Hollywood couple
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of red alert
The soaring ash rose to form a mushroom cloud high above Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, triggering a red alert for aviation crews in the region.
—
Bill Chappell, NPR, 2 June 2025
The joke on the open mic, which was not broadcast live but leaked later, resulted in a Soviet red alert − and temporarily moved the U.S. and Soviet Union toward war.
—Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
This isn’t the first time Martinelli’s attempts to leave Panama have been thwarted — previously, Nicaragua canceled his travel plans over fears of an Interpol red alert notice, which asks police agencies around the world to arrest someone on sight.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
City authorities issued two red alerts for road ice and blizzard dangers, while several districts canceled classes for Monday, the Global Times reported.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Bill Chappell, NPR, 2 June 2025
The joke on the open mic, which was not broadcast live but leaked later, resulted in a Soviet red alert − and temporarily moved the U.S. and Soviet Union toward war.
—Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
This isn’t the first time Martinelli’s attempts to leave Panama have been thwarted — previously, Nicaragua canceled his travel plans over fears of an Interpol red alert notice, which asks police agencies around the world to arrest someone on sight.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
City authorities issued two red alerts for road ice and blizzard dangers, while several districts canceled classes for Monday, the Global Times reported.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red alert
Noun
-
But these videos were few and far between—other people can be an obstacle to running your life with the precision of a ticking watch.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Meanwhile, YouTube, which is the most popular podcasting platform, launched its own top podcast charts in May and ranks shows weekly by watch time.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
People are now on alert and hopefully ordering out for pizza, cracking open a sixer, and getting ready to chomp into this new dumbass classic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The traffic alert was reported Wednesday at 9:47 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Wednesday at 9:52 p.m.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Police urge vigilance with 'unstable' suspect on run after 4 killed in Montana bar.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
-
But realizing that potential demands our collective vigilance, our insistence on transparency, and our willingness to hold both public and private actors to account.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Red alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20alert. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share