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
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Recent Examples of red alert
Losing Jackson for any more games would certainly put the franchise on a red alert situation, as Cooper Rush did not spark much confidence in his starts with Jackson out.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
On Saturday, the South and Grand’Anse regions of Haiti were both upgraded to red alerts by the National Disaster Risk Management System.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The art community is on red alert.
—Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The Sooners’ struggles of the past three years were a red alert that something had to change both on and off the field if this blue blood was going to stay one.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
On Saturday, the South and Grand’Anse regions of Haiti were both upgraded to red alerts by the National Disaster Risk Management System.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The art community is on red alert.
—Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The Sooners’ struggles of the past three years were a red alert that something had to change both on and off the field if this blue blood was going to stay one.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red alert
Noun
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Horner, wearing his FedEx shirt and with his hands cuffed behind his back, watches as investigators search the thick bamboo, finding nothing.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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While undoubtedly a difficult watch, Boy Erased is ultimately a story of resilience, with an achingly vulnerable performance by Hedges.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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With calm resolve, the United States and the European Union have each made decisions in recent days showing a firm watchfulness against big-power aggression.—
The Christian Science Monitor,
Christian Science Monitor,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The alert will affect the entire region except for upper Bucks County and Lehigh and Northampton counties, where the growing season hasn't started yet.—
Grant Gilmore,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The alert was issued Tuesday and remains in effect through Saturday, April 11, officials said.—
Mark Price
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dogs bred for alertness or reactivity may be more attuned to sound, though this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
7 Apr. 2026
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More daylight can increase signals in the brain that support alertness, mood, and energy.—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Qubits of any sort are extremely error-prone, and computing with them will require constant vigilance.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency encourages organizations to heighten their cybersecurity vigilance during periods of elevated geopolitical risk.—
William Akoto,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20alert. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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