1
as in carefulness
a close attentiveness to avoiding danger
drove through the fog with extra alertness, as the road signs repeatedly warned of deer and moose crossings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in watchfulness
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
we observed the U.S. border patrol's intensified alertness for drug smugglers at the border stations
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alertness
Energy, Alertness, and Strength Caffeine can increase alertness, energy, and physical abilities.
—
Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
For example, start your day with coffee for maximum alertness, then switch to chai in the afternoon.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
The circadian rhythm, the body’s natural alarm clock that will suppress melatonin in the morning and increase alertness, is triggered by sunlight.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 4 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Some studies suggest that mild sensory input may increase alertness in specific populations – such as older adults training to improve their balance or people in rehabilitation for sensory loss – but these effects are modest and highly dependent on context.
—Atom Sarkar, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2026
Medications that affect alertness (such as certain pain medicines and antidepressants) or circulation (such as some blood pressure pills) also can increase risk.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Another idea is that the rhythm causes brief fluctuations in alertness, allowing sleeping animals to periodically check their surroundings and reduce the risk of being eaten.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
And wit is basically the alertness of the writer—being aware of where the reader might be, and then responding to that.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
For example, start your day with coffee for maximum alertness, then switch to chai in the afternoon.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
The circadian rhythm, the body’s natural alarm clock that will suppress melatonin in the morning and increase alertness, is triggered by sunlight.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 4 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Some studies suggest that mild sensory input may increase alertness in specific populations – such as older adults training to improve their balance or people in rehabilitation for sensory loss – but these effects are modest and highly dependent on context.
—Atom Sarkar, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2026
Medications that affect alertness (such as certain pain medicines and antidepressants) or circulation (such as some blood pressure pills) also can increase risk.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Another idea is that the rhythm causes brief fluctuations in alertness, allowing sleeping animals to periodically check their surroundings and reduce the risk of being eaten.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
And wit is basically the alertness of the writer—being aware of where the reader might be, and then responding to that.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness
Noun
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Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
Noun
-
Toxicologist Alex LeBeau urged caution when interpreting the results.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
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So while these stocks look incredible, some caution is warranted.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The work demanded mobility and vigilance.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
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In some cases, extra vigilance means that faculty have backed away from initial commitments.—
Jonathan Wosen,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The PhD student, originally from Turkey and on a valid F-1 student visa, was shuttled through multiple states following her arrest and suffered a series of asthma attacks without adequate medical care, according to her attorneys.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Natural Grocers specializes in organic produce, dietary supplements and body care products.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The note also had details about a floodlight at Guthrie's home and an Apple watch.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
-
Over and over again, the owners opt for organizational stagnation and attempt to disguise it as prudence.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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The state police Troop H barracks are nearby but prudence suggested assigning a State Police trooper to the building would be best way to provide an immediate response to a problem.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In an emergency alert which went out to residents’ phones, authorities described the suspect as a brown-haired woman wearing a dress, according to CNN affiliate CBC News.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Although there is a dangerous high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches, there are no alerts or advisories for boaters along the Atlantic waters or Keys waters.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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