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

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 alert
Noun
Storm pounds the Caribbean Hurricane and tropical storm alerts were in place for most of Cuba and the Cayman Islands as Rafael began to pass through the Caymans on Tuesday night. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 There will be more changes, odds and market moves along with potential riots as the U.S. is on high alert with ramped up security measures. Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Longo appears to blame social-media users for alerting the DEC to Peanut. Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024 Carlos Mazon, the president of the Valencia’s regional government, defended his administration amid accusations that authorities failed to alert residents on time. Lauren Kent, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Read the full article here 3d ago / 1:35 PM PDT Copied Share N.Y. governor warns of ticket scams NBC New York New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is warning baseball fans to be alert for ticket scams as the World Series heads to the Bronx tonight. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024 Being alert for unusual medical charges, unexpected communications requesting additional personal information or irregularities on insurance statements or credit reports can help in spotting suspicious activity early. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alert 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • Weather conditions triggered red flag warnings Tuesday in the Northeast and firefighters in California continued to battle a large wildfire that has burned over 20,000 acres.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • After a dry week marked by red flag warnings signaling fire danger and the threat of power shutoffs for some, rain was forecast to shower the Bay Area on and off through the end of the week.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • There was no evacuation warning ahead of the air raid.
    Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • There was also the larger error of anointing Harris without political competition — an insult to the democratic process that handed the nomination to a candidate who, as some of us warned at the time, was exceptionally weak.
    Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But that isn’t to say jolting awake shortly after turning out the lights is cause to schedule an MRI scan.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Here Catherine is again, unable to stay awake and protect her son.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • As consumers continue to be cautious about their spending, Amazon’s focus on cheaper items could keep it ahead of competitors like Target (TGT+2.53%), Walmart (WMT+0.53%), and discount grocer Aldi, all of which are racing to lower prices in response to changing shopping habits.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Be especially cautious about implementing AI in areas that may result in adverse decisions being made, such as credit and collection departments.
    Cory McNeley, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • These group dynamics and cooperation efforts are part of what makes meerkats so intelligent.
    Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Companies are eager to tap into the productivity AI offers: ServiceNow, which provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses has recently adopted AI agents, a move that has boosted subscription revenue by 23%.
    Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Don’t be too quick to buy into something that is a fleeting desire.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • This video raises a lot of questions, many of which commenters on the video were quick to point out.
    Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Photo: David Dee Delgado/AFP/Getty Images Members and supporters of the New York Immigration Coalition at an Election Night watch party at their offices in New York City.
    Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
  • In one instance, a man survived a gunshot only due to his pocket watch deflecting the bullet, while another joined the Union army after deserting the Confederacy.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Japan’s Ministry of Defense in Tokyo vowed to remain vigilant, to continue to gather information and to monitor the situation closely.
    Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But as with any potential emerging disease, staying vigilant is key.
    Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near alert

Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on alert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!