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
  • Mysterious folders have appeared on PCs along with dire warnings.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 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
  • The project includes swapping existing right-of-way fencing for new wildlife fencing with gates, building box culverts, devising wildlife escape ramps and placing traffic signs to warn of wildlife in the area.
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Russian officials have warned Ukraine's Western allies against deploying forces to the country.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 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
  • Yes, Love Hotel might be Bravo’s most emotionally intelligent experiment yet.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Talos, Pandora and other artificially intelligent entities had already set the stage for humans to explore this idea.
    Sofia Giannuzzi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • This mower features a quick start system and a side discharge for efficient grass management.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 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 Griffin’s watch, the Pelicans acquired Trey Murphy in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft and followed that up by using first-round picks on Dyson Daniels in 2022, Jordan Hawkins in 2023 and Yves Missi in 2024.
    William Guillory, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The world must remain vigilant to ensure this powerful new tool isn't silenced.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Tonight: Be diplomatic. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ★★★★ Parents should be vigilant today, because this is an accident-prone day for your kids.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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