1
as in word
a word or phrase that must be spoken by a person in order to pass a guard
the watchword is changed every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in slogan
an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product)
their latest watchword turns up in every ad from that company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of watchword
At the local level, caution has been the watchword.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2026
Sprinkling in some back-end starters and calling it a day doesn’t seem like his MO after a year on the job, so perhaps patience is the watchword here after all.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Jan. 2026
Uncertainty is the watchword, especially with a major Supreme Court ruling on tariffs on the horizon.
—Brian Blank, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
There is a feeling that the American public has about their own finances, about their own wallet, about the idea of affordability, which, of course, has become the watchword.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchword
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2026
Sprinkling in some back-end starters and calling it a day doesn’t seem like his MO after a year on the job, so perhaps patience is the watchword here after all.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Jan. 2026
Uncertainty is the watchword, especially with a major Supreme Court ruling on tariffs on the horizon.
—Brian Blank, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
There is a feeling that the American public has about their own finances, about their own wallet, about the idea of affordability, which, of course, has become the watchword.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchword
Noun
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Alex Jenkinson, 39, is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior toward the former prince, whose royal titles were removed last year by King Charles III due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Once his fans found out, 200 more mugs were produced with the new slogan on one side and a picture of King Juan Carlos on the other.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
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However, one fan thought that this slogan was nothing more than something the team's front office cooked up.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Several, far less talented organizations were able to hang World Series banners in that time frame, including my beloved Florida Marlins, which just feels like the baseball gods laughing in the face of Mariners fans.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
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Reijn is producing through her MAN UP Film banner, with A24 also producing and financing.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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