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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Example Sentences
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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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This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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With that portion of W 7th Street closed, along with other closures on Shepard Road and Jackson Street, fans attending the game or the watch party are encouraged to arrive early and account for changing routes.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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Today, the two South Asian neighbors remain on high alert amid tit-for-tat threats and reports that both sides are preparing for more war.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
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Modern aircraft systems and cockpit alerts are designed to enhance safety, meaning alarms and delays are signs that protections are working.—
Chris Dong,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Effective for alertness and focus in the short term but not a long-term solution.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
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Still, Loeb notes that cholinesterase inhibitors, which are often used for people with Alzheimer's, can help improve cognition and alertness in patients with Lewy body dementia.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Any realistic future, extrapolated from the present, will be a scary one, reflecting back to us our own warranted, present-tense vigilance.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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But as long as we fallible humans remain in charge, a degree of vigilance against potential barriers to minority voting is important.—
Stephen L. Carter,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20alert. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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