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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of watchword
Rehabilitation became the watchword of D.C.’s juvenile justice system.
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Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Aug. 2024
Traceability is the watchword of the coming decade for fashion and the textile sector.
—Fairchild Studio, WWD, 24 June 2024
At a time when India was becoming a watchword for democratic backsliding, the election will begin to repair the damage that has been done under Modi to the country’s global reputation.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2024
The story was especially controversial at a time when unity was a national watchword.
—Tom Stanton, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for watchword 
Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Aug. 2024
Traceability is the watchword of the coming decade for fashion and the textile sector.
—Fairchild Studio, WWD, 24 June 2024
At a time when India was becoming a watchword for democratic backsliding, the election will begin to repair the damage that has been done under Modi to the country’s global reputation.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2024
The story was especially controversial at a time when unity was a national watchword.
—Tom Stanton, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for watchword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchword
Noun
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Rabinovich offers a masterful overview without wasting a word.Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
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In the stunned, ringing silence of the visiting locker room, Lutz and many others struggled to find words to describe the sting.Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In Kelly’s bedroom, authorities found notebooks that had slogans that would appear on signs Kelly would later make, along with notes about where they would be located, the court filing said.Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
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The group banded around the new slogan with a few more jokes, and some dramatic superhero music was used to score the new catchphrase.Luke Gentile, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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If the busy summer travel season was any indicator, airports could be braced for a banner year this holiday season — the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says summer 2024 was the busiest on record.Brittany Anas, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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The gains on Election Day extended a banner year for U.S. stocks.Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near watchword
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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