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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of red alert
The red alert is the highest level of the national heatwave plan, reserved for an exceptional heatwave.
—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
23 June 2026
Spain’s national weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts Tuesday for temperatures of 44 C (111 F) in southern Andalusia as well as warnings of thermometers hitting 40 C (104 F) in the normally temperate Cantabria and the Basque Country regions along its northern Atlantic coast.
—
Samuel Petrequin,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Spain’s national weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts Tuesday for temperatures of 111 in southern Andalusia as well as warnings of thermometers hitting 104 in the normally temperate Cantabria and the Basque Country regions along its northern Atlantic coast.
—
Samuel Petrequin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
While France still held the annual Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) on Sunday, authorities banned alcohol consumption in public during the celebrations in areas under red alert.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
23 June 2026
Spain’s national weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts Tuesday for temperatures of 44 C (111 F) in southern Andalusia as well as warnings of thermometers hitting 40 C (104 F) in the normally temperate Cantabria and the Basque Country regions along its northern Atlantic coast.
—
Samuel Petrequin,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Spain’s national weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts Tuesday for temperatures of 111 in southern Andalusia as well as warnings of thermometers hitting 104 in the normally temperate Cantabria and the Basque Country regions along its northern Atlantic coast.
—
Samuel Petrequin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
While France still held the annual Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) on Sunday, authorities banned alcohol consumption in public during the celebrations in areas under red alert.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red alert
Noun
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The women, who also wore Mexico jerseys, were planning to attend the watch party.
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The devices were hidden in a pack of cigarettes, the informant’s watch, and a cellphone.
Noun
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But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.
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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.
Noun
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At Dry Creek Ranch, however, the dogs produced enough alerts to prompt investigators to begin digging.
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.
Noun
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The screens influenced more than her alertness.
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This pattern activates the energizing side of the nervous system—increasing alertness, supporting oxygen uptake and creating a focused, ready state.
Noun
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In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies.
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Research on stress and cognitive load has shown that ambiguity activates many of the same neural pathways involved in threat detection and vigilance.
Cite this Entry
“Red alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20alert. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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