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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of watchword
In many ways, as winners, presenters, and performers echoed that sentiment and turned viewers’ attention to the future—and specifically to future generations—optimism became the watchword of the evening.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
16 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
Judy Berman,
Time,
16 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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Over the next year, expect to see a few more invasive BCI companies launch similar clinical trials with the goal of translating mental activity into spoken words.
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The war-weariness in Sadeq’s words reflects the exhaustion felt throughout Lebanon, but especially among the Shiites who form a third of its 6 million residents.
Noun
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Others use stickers with messages, crosses, flags or team slogans.
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For Everything RiaL, that’s one of the slogans that has been associated with me since the beginning of my career.
Noun
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Since the news, community members have assembled to help by making banners to hang in front of the store.
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Balloons, banners and even billboard trucks lined the avenue.
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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