alert 1 of 3

alert

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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

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adjective

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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

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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
The group makes up 15% of the total population of these four areas, but researchers say the data point to a dearth in multilingual communication alerts about fire warnings, evacuation procedures and relief services. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 Over 90 million people are under winter weather alerts from the Midwest to the Northeast, as a significant winter storm brings snow and ice this weekend. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
Authorities were first alerted to the missing aircraft around 4 p.m. local time. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 After the teen chambered a round, a staff member was able to flee to a back office and alerted the police, the airport said. Rebekah Riess, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Tracker, a diabetic alert dog, is trained to alert his owners when 5-year-old Paislee has low blood sugar. Colson Thayer, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Met Éireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, has issued red warnings, its highest alert level, for wind for much of the country. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alert 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • Officials in Los Angeles issued evacuation warnings ahead of a potent storm that could cause life-threatening flooding and debris flow in areas charred by the deadly wildfires that broke out across Southern California last month.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles said on X (formerly Twitter) that Los Angeles, Glendale and Santa Clarita are under a flash flood warning until 8 p.m. PT.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Ye’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian was apparently warned in advance by his assistant, and skipped the Grammys to take her son Saint, 8, to the movies.
    Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Law enforcement officials warned Trump last year that Tehran had placed operatives in the U.S. with access to surface-to-air missiles.
    Alex Isenstadt, Axios, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Jonathan O'Neill, an installation engineer from Cookstown, was startled awake by the raging storm and decided to venture outside to secure his garden.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Once the driver was awake, he was identified as 24-year-old Christian Gonzalez, according to state police.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Experts are cautious about making predictions, given the many legal and political factors at play.
    Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Forest have been more cautious with loans in the 2024-25 season.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Chahine is clearly an intelligent person, and his experience in finance has obviously helped him during this esports journey, making decisions that traditional esports execs may not have made.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 8 Feb. 2025
  • At once personal yet scientific, richly informative and beautifully written, The Genius of Birds celebrates the triumphs of these surprising and fiercely intelligent creatures.
    Kevin Spencer, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In a quick turnaround, Netflix has set a new venue for its annual post-BAFTA Film Awards party on Sunday, after its usual haunt, the Chiltern Firehouse, was evacuated amid a blaze on Friday afternoon.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Eating fatty, salty, and sugary foods triggers a quick release of dopamine.
    Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • For its brand Chopard, De Rigo unveiled the latest Red Carpet design inspired by the jeweler’s fine watch collection.
    Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The position flourishes when an offensive lineman does his job, and that has led to NFL quarterbacks giving their offensive linemen gifts like Rolex watches, and more.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Monday will start the new week with partly cloudy skies and a high of 58 F, with nighttime temperatures cooling to 43 F. Residents should remain vigilant for weather updates and prepare for possible shifts in conditions as the storm system progresses.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • People of faith and conscience will need to be continually vigilant in this new political environment.
    Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near alert

Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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