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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of watchword
Responding to the precariousness of our moment, museums have reified the problem with an unfortunate watchword: relevance.
—
Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Despite four wins in Madrid, frustration appears to be a watchword for Świątek right now.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Clearly, 3) temperamental caution remains the watchword.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2025
Disobedience was, in certain respects, the watchword of all his work.
—Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchword
Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Despite four wins in Madrid, frustration appears to be a watchword for Świątek right now.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Clearly, 3) temperamental caution remains the watchword.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2025
Disobedience was, in certain respects, the watchword of all his work.
—Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchword
Noun
-
How To Play Wordle Wordle is a daily word puzzle game where your goal is to guess a hidden five-letter word in six tries or fewer.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The two men shared warm words, often walking side by side as military bands and mounted troops staged elaborate ceremonies on the castle grounds.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Chicken Jockey The Minecraft Movie was a huge hit among teens and tweens, who were chanting memes and slogans from the movie for months after its release.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
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When the Glass House was completed in 1956, the company turned to its American Road slogan and won a petition to have the service drive renamed The American Road.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jack Taylor/Getty Images Protesters hold banners and placards during the state visit by the President of the United States of America at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025 in Windsor, England.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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The organization laid the groundwork in 2018 under the same Electric For All banner, but this new iteration is vastly different in scope, tone and timing.—
Stacy Noblet,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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