watchwords

plural of watchword
1
as in words
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 slogans
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchwords
Noun
  • Food and drink Name two more delightful words in the English language than ‘breakfast buffet’.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Here's what the people building these things had to say, in their own words.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The official account for the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, Emil Michael, has posted propaganda using Q catchphrases as military slogans.
    Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto/Getty Protesters shouted slogans denouncing the police and government over alleged delays in taking action to find the missing girl, and then to find the perpetrators.
    Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Whenever the household experienced a milestone — a reunion, for example — Dick and Bunny would put out banners to mark the occasion.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Each academic school hosts their own ceremony, with students attending various departments — plus deans and senior leadership — all clad in their cardinal and gold regalia, marching behind their banners across the campus.
    Staff report, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Watchwords.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchwords. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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