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
Relevance
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
Examples 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 watchword
But the watchword is transparency and what users can reasonably be expected to know is taking place from information given.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
The two watchwords of your selection process should be rigorous and fast.
—Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
The word quickly morphed into a theme for Harris and other Democrats, and has a chance to be a watchword of the undoubtably weird 2024 election.
—Steve Karnowski, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2024
Rehabilitation became the watchword of D.C.’s juvenile justice system.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for watchword 
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
The two watchwords of your selection process should be rigorous and fast.
—Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
The word quickly morphed into a theme for Harris and other Democrats, and has a chance to be a watchword of the undoubtably weird 2024 election.
—Steve Karnowski, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2024
Rehabilitation became the watchword of D.C.’s juvenile justice system.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for watchword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchword
Noun
-
Arched across the top were the words Justin Carr Wants World Peace.Billy Witz, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
-
Bill Burns has spent much of his nearly four-decade career in government arguing about words.Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Many commentators have called the slogan racist and sexist.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Ian, which barreled onto shore in September 2022, was about wind; ferocious gusts that blew apart houses and snapped the tops off oak trees and prompted residents of this working-class city to rally around a new slogan: #EnglewoodStrong.Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
One of Them Days’ studio, Sony Pictures Entertainment—which released the film under its Tri-Star Pictures banner—follows more of a set pattern.Tim Lammers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
-
The Berlinale Series Market has unveiled its 2025 lineup, featuring 17 international series under its Market Selects banner.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near watchword
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share