1
as in warning
the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk
the white flash of the doe's raised tail, giving the "danger" alert to her fawns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in watchfulness
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
the doctor told the patient to be on the alert for any signs of infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
as in awake
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
she needed to stay alert throughout the train ride so as not to miss her stop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cautious
having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble
warned us to be alert to the presence of pickpockets on the crowded bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in quick
having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation
an alert force of commandos, ready to go on a mission at a moment's notice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
Attachments that should not be there Microsoft account alerts do not include image attachments.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Cops released both a photo of Frias, 27, at the scene of the shooting and his mugshot in the hopes someone can alert cops to his whereabouts.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Sami Yousafzai, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Tennis fans know Carillo for her wry comments, often delivered with a world-class deadpan, leaving only alert viewers to pick up the joke.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alert
Noun
Paul Trefimovich, 68, fatally shot his domestic partner, 63-year-old Valerie Kopetic, in their Port Jefferson home, then turned the gun on himself, Suffolk County police said in an alert.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
Attachments that should not be there Microsoft account alerts do not include image attachments.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Cops released both a photo of Frias, 27, at the scene of the shooting and his mugshot in the hopes someone can alert cops to his whereabouts.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The security official, who spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity, noted that there hadn't been a major attack since a suicide bombing that hit a court in Islamabad about two months ago, prompting the alert level in the capital to be raised to its highest.
—Sami Yousafzai, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Tennis fans know Carillo for her wry comments, often delivered with a world-class deadpan, leaving only alert viewers to pick up the joke.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
-
Sixteen members of the media account for 80 percent of the MVP vote and submit their ballots near the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Two inmates facing serious violent crime charges escaped from the Sumter County Jail late Sunday, prompting an urgent manhunt and warnings from law enforcement across southwest Georgia.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Arms control advocates bemoaned the end of New START and warned of the imminent threat of a new arms race.—
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Department of Homeland Security warned in a bulletin that these crimes have increased over the last five years and lists 17 cases since 2014 of people attempting to poison their family members, using toxins such as ricin and cyanide, resulting in at least 11 deaths.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The results revealed subjects who napped had weaker synaptic connections in their brains than those who stayed awake.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
An October study found speed training may preserve acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that makes the brain more awake, focused and attentive.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be cautious about taking on new debt that assumes your current income is guaranteed.—
Matt Shumer,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Connecticut education leaders are expressing cautious optimism as the state Department of Education tries its hand at course development.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Its intelligent brake and reverse (iBR) system adds specific control when slowing down or maneuvering around objects or when docking, along with different ride modes that let the rider chill (or sharpen) the throttle response depending on conditions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday, the company plans to shutter its GPT-4o model — widely considered the most emotionally intelligent on the market, and often used for individuals’ companions.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Use citrus peels or baking soda with vinegar for a quick and natural way to clean and deodorize the garbage disposal effectively.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s response to this has been to float policies that promise a quick hit of relief.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The note also had details about a floodlight at Guthrie's home and an Apple watch.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Community members have organized visible school watches to ensure families are not isolated or caught alone in moments of fear.—
Marilyn Carlson Nelson,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
