alert 1 of 3

alert

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verb

as in to warn
to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk alerted us to the possibility that the roads would be flooded and we might have to take a detour

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alert

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adjective

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2
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as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind an alert and well-trained sheep dog who can handle difficult situations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective alert contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alert are vigilant, watchful, and wide-awake. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

When can vigilant be used instead of alert?

The synonyms vigilant and alert are sometimes interchangeable, but vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

When might watchful be a better fit than alert?

In some situations, the words watchful and alert are roughly equivalent. However, watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

When could wide-awake be used to replace alert?

The words wide-awake and alert can be used in similar contexts, but wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of alert
Noun
The alert aims to protect vulnerable populations, including those with heart and respiratory conditions, children, and older adults, and highlights the risk of smoke—making indoor environments unsafe for some residents. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025 Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 July 2025
Verb
Its satellites have documented the melting of the polar ice caps and the destruction of forests, alerting humanity to the planet’s precarity. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025 Denver police have been alerted to the issue as well, Kuhn said. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Emergency responders are urging residents to stay alert as the storm continues to churn inland. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 Since then, the small town of roughly 3,000 has focused on rebuilding itself with a potential flood like that in mind, installing new safety measures and alert systems with financial help from the state. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • The warning signaled the potential for extreme fire behavior driven by strong winds and low humidity and comes in the middle of the Pacific hurricane season, which has already seen an active start.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
  • As a result, trade data may serve as a lagging indicator of financial distress rather than providing early warning signals valuable for risk assessment.
    Charlie Minutella, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Last month state immigration advocates warned that arrests of undocumented immigrants were ramping up in the state, creating anxiety and fear in communities with people taken every day.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • The National Weather Service discussion on Monday morning warned that extreme heat conditions would continue in the region as a high-pressure center lingers.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Without answers, the questions would keep them awake at night.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
  • By contrast, doing some movement in the back half of the day may delay your circadian rhythm a bit, which could benefit early birds who are looking to stay awake later into the night.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Be cautious using public Wi-Fi Avoid logging into accounts on public Wi-Fi or always use a VPN.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
  • No, things aren’t all roses, but at least some cautious optimism is in order.
    Bruce Yandle, Boston Herald, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Operation Bounce House follows Oliver Lewis, a colonist on the planet New Sonora, who leads a simple life on his family ranch, playing with his band and tending to his family's selection of intelligent agriculture bots.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • These earbuds feature intelligent noise control, which removes up to twice as much background noise as previous AirPods models.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, use this time to wind down maybe by stretching, reading, journaling or even doing a quick emotional check-in.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The latest of the spacecraft, known as sounding rockets, most recently made a successful quick trip to space to study one of the most complex regions of the sun's atmosphere following a New Mexico launch.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The 47-year-old has amassed quite the watch collection over the past two decades.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2025
  • Almost 85 million Americans from South Dakota to Texas and North Carolina to Florida were already under National Weather Service extreme heat warnings, watches or advisories July 21.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • This same accident-prone influence might apply to your pet, so be vigilant.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • Maine State Police are warning the community to stay vigilant but have not divulged the cause of death or any details about the crime scene, leaving Stewart’s family with questions and nearby residents with fears that a killer may be among them.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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