alert 1 of 3

alert

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

adjective

1
2
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

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
Simply add your email address here to receive free alerts from the Star-Telegram. Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025 Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
Use each tool’s setup guide so your agent alerts you to significant changes and compiles regular intelligence briefings. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 In early March, CISA — which is nested inside the Department of Homeland Security — cut more than $10 million in funding to two critical cybersecurity intelligence-sharing programs that helped detect and deter cyberattacks and that alerted state and local governments about them. David E. Sanger, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The advisory also tells travelers to be alert in places where there isn't private security, like vacation rentals. Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2025 Here's a breakdown of the three-tiered alert system from the NWS and what each level entails: High wind warning: Take action! Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • The warning was released on Monday at 1:51 p.m., and the latest update about this incident was released on Monday at 1:53 p.m.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Take the quiz here … TOURIST TERROR – US embassy in hot spot issues assault warning for women renting jet skis.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This rare dissent comes as the stock market shows signs of volatility, and economists warn the tariffs could trigger a recession.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tommy was already awake, heading to the bank for a monthly meeting.
    Kristina Goetz, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • A little bit of cream cheese glaze is a nod to the cake's traditional frosting. 12 Hummingbird Cake Recipes That Can't Get Any Sweeter Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients Cookies: 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (about 7 oz.) 1 tsp.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At times, that can mean there’s reason to be optimistic or perhaps to be cautious about a hot start.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Collins said Republicans also need to be cautious about slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food benefits to low-income families, another budget-cutting target identified by fiscal conservatives.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Untangling a relationship with SpaceX Some of the most intelligent questions came from US Sen. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While his breed is ranked as the seventh most intelligent according to Stanley Coren, a renowned dog researcher—with border collies, poodles, and German shepherds making up the top three—this particular behavior has people talking for a different reason.
    Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Polite start, quick stall Even after Trump was elected on the promise of high tariffs, relations with Beijing got off to a polite start.
    Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Telegraphed data arrived in the morning, and FitzRoy made quick extrapolations from his knowledge of storm theories, sending forecasts an hour later.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Many of them have been living and working in South Florida after being sponsored by relatives to come to the United States to apply for asylum or other protections instead of trying to get in through the U.S.-Mexico border, where a migrant crisis erupted during the Biden administration’s watch.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Under his watch, the homicide rate dropped from 46.18 per 100,000 people in 2023, to 38.76 per 100,000 people in 2024.
    Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But being vigilant and seeking medical attention at the first sign of the illness—which is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same culprit behind chicken pox—can make a big difference in your recovery.
    Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But this is just one of several ways the Trump administration is targeting the PSLF program — so borrowers on track for loan forgiveness must continue to remain vigilant.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!