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
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
France issued a red alert on July 1 and warned of potentially severe health impacts as temperatures across the country climbed to between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the country’s meteorological service.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
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
France issued a red alert on July 1 and warned of potentially severe health impacts as temperatures across the country climbed to between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the country’s meteorological service.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red alert
Noun
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More than 28 million people across the Southeast are under winter storm watches and warnings, including parts of northern Georgia, the Carolinas and southern Virginia.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Frankie Muniz isn't afraid to be everyone's comfort watch.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 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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This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued an alert late Monday evening saying that the mountain lion was spotted in the Pacific Heights neighborhood near the intersection of Octavia Street and Pacific Avenue, just north of Lafayette Park.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Because of the enhanced alert, the Office of Emergency Management has opened multiple warming centers throughout the city.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.—
Ingrid Wickelgren,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
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Caffeine Caffeine can increase energy and alertness and is found in energy drinks and certain dietary supplements, such as those that keep you alert and from falling asleep.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Proving this will require experiments that directly test how the rhythm affects brain cleaning, vigilance, and survival.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Jan. 2026
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Italy’s own history, including the consequences of fascist racial laws and deportations, has shaped a national commitment to remembrance, education and vigilance.—
Brian Siegal,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20alert. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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