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
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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
Affordability has become the new watchword in American politics and an emerging House energy bill marks a sharp shift away from the clean energy thrust of recent state laws and elevates pocketbook issues that are also on the minds of ratepayers and businesses.
—
State House News Service, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Across Europe, strategic autonomy is the new watchword.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2025
Whatever the structure of your network, security is the watchword.
—Al Kingsley Mbe, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Balance, rather than tilting too far in one direction, should be the watchword.
—Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for watchword
State House News Service, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Across Europe, strategic autonomy is the new watchword.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2025
Whatever the structure of your network, security is the watchword.
—Al Kingsley Mbe, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Balance, rather than tilting too far in one direction, should be the watchword.
—Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for watchword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchword
Noun
-
His words were underscored when police in Israel stopped Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built on the spot where Jesus was thought to have been crucified.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the images and slogans roaring across social media in this first month of the war in Iran may be something new.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
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And the Cubans who believed the slogans—from either side—get nothing.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The school has banners and big names to prove its hockey pedigree, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Goldberg will serve as executive producer alongside longtime collaborator Tom Leonardis under their One Ho Productions banner.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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