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
La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Hundreds of Americans were stranded in the state during February when the violence reached its peak, and the State Department issued a heightened travel alert.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Normally, the innate immune system’s job is to provide a rapid, nonspecific response to an invading pathogen and to alert other, more specialized immune cells to prepare for battle.
—Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
Daniel Payne, STAT, 19 May 2026
Residents from Oklahoma to Iowa, including the cities of Kansas City, Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines, are also being advised to stay alert for twisters.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for alert
Noun
The National Weather Service (NWS) has placed several local areas on high alert for additional flooding.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Hundreds of Americans were stranded in the state during February when the violence reached its peak, and the State Department issued a heightened travel alert.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Verb
Electronic messages will alert drivers to ramp and lane closures and detours.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Normally, the innate immune system’s job is to provide a rapid, nonspecific response to an invading pathogen and to alert other, more specialized immune cells to prepare for battle.
—Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
Adjective
Programs designed to detect Ebola cases, alert communities to infection, and dispatch response kits had their funding reduced or eliminated.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 19 May 2026
Residents from Oklahoma to Iowa, including the cities of Kansas City, Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines, are also being advised to stay alert for twisters.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
-
Lavrov highlighted the warning to Rubio during Monday's call, the Russian foreign ministry said.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
-
While questions continue to swirl regarding the possibility of biological lifeforms being in the possession of the federal government, Heckenlively is offering a stark warning surrounding the reality of aliens and humans coming into contact with each other.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
-
In nine short, potent chapters, Beckerman lays out the essential traits of an effective dissident — loyalty, recklessness and watchfulness, among them — to illustrate how communities of resistance are built from the ground up.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
San Diego County routinely issues public health advisories to warn local doctors of emerging threats, but Thursday was the first time in recent memory that a mode of transportation made the list.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Iranian media reported that the country's Navy had fired warning shots at four vessels that attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization this morning.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ramírez, half-awake, was confused as to why Pevey wanted to speak with him.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The caller states that Busch was lying on the bathroom floor and was awake at the time of the call.—
Dianne Gallagher,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Long periods of high gas prices (of which the tax is a small piece) do seem to produce higher transit ridership, a shift to more fuel-efficient or electric vehicles, and more cautious choices about living far from work and amenities.—
Henry Grabar,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
The more a decision requires navigating ambiguity rather than optimizing a clear objective, the more cautious organizations should be in delegating it to AI, and the more AI needs to be augmented by human experience, judgment, and deep expertise.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
According to the company, the system has become a key part of its broader push to expand intelligent driving capabilities across its vehicle lineup, CarNewsChina reported.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
-
Maybe intelligent aliens do not want to communicate with us, and conceal their existence.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Amenities and experiences The 10th floor spa remains one of the hotel’s biggest assets, not least because the panoramic views across Hyde Park make even a quick sauna session feel cinematic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Over the past decade, the club have been forced to activate several economic ‘levers’ to ensure their stability — such as selling stakes in the club’s future businesses to private equity companies to raise quick cash.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Zenith’s newest watch is all about that red, white, and blue.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
-
The seizures included more than 12 kilograms (26 pounds) in gold bars, millions in cash, premium watches and some 20 luxury properties, investigators told a news conference.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
