alert

[uh-lurt]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR alert ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: an alert mind.

swift; agile; nimble.

noun

an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.

a warning or alarm of an impending military attack, a storm, etc.: We'd just boarded the bus when the alert sounded.

the period during which such a warning or alarm is in effect.

verb (used with object)

to warn (troops, ships, etc.) to prepare for action.

to warn of an impending raid, attack, storm, etc.: The radio alerted coastal residents to prepare for the hurricane.

to advise or warn; cause to be on guard: to alert gardeners to the dangers of some pesticides.

Nearby words

Idioms

on the alert, on guard against danger; in readiness; vigilant: The state police are on the alert for an escaped convict believed to be in the area.

Origin of alert

1590–1600; 1940–45 for def 4; < Italian all'erta, equivalent to all(a) to, on the + erta lookout, watchtower, orig. feminine of erto, past participle of ergere < Latin ērigere to erect

SYNONYMS FOR alert

1. awake, wary, observant. 2. brisk, lively, quick, active, sprightly, spirited.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR alert ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR alert

1. unaware.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR alert ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsa·lert·ly, adverba·lert·ness, nounhy·per·a·lert, adjectiveun·a·lert·ed, adjective

Synonym study

1. Alert, vigilant, watchful imply a wide-awake attitude, as of someone keenly aware of his or her surroundings. Alert describes a ready and prompt attentiveness together with a quick intelligence: The tourist was alert and eager to see the sights. Vigilant suggests some immediate necessity for keen, active observation, and for continuing alertness: Knowing the danger, the scout was unceasingly vigilant. Watchful suggests carefulness and preparedness: watchful waiting.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for alerted

She then changed her passwords and ended all contact with the Iranian Bolton and then alerted the office of the real one.
Iran Is Using a Neocon to Hack Its Foes|Eli Lake|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It alerted people to the fact that a lot had become complacent about the possibility of a bear attack.
In Florida, Sprawling Humans Confront the Bears Who Lived There First|Jacqui Goddard|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After one user spotted footsteps in the snow near the edge of a cliff, Tomnod alerted law enforcement.
Now You Can Hunt for Flight 370|Abby Haglage|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A few days later, a hunter spotted the burnt-out Fiat and alerted authorities who discovered the macabre scene inside.
Three-Year-Old Coco Is The Italian Mafia’s Littlest Victim|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He also alerted the Wall Street Journal in an interview that was the first time I met Sharon.
My Moments With Ariel Sharon|Seth Lipsky|January 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Guards at the palace gates were alerted, patrols were set to scouring the grounds between palace and outer wall.
The Return of Tharn|Howard Carleton Browne
There was only a little information so far from foreign countries, all of whom had been alerted.
Earth Alert!|Kris Neville
You see, Mr. Masterson's alerted people at the Commissioner's office.
The Best Made Plans|Everett B. Cole
Obviously, the entire city had been alerted several hours before his arrival.
Membership Drive|Murray F. Yaco
There were armed and alerted landing-parties around the grid itself, of course, but the capital city of Dara lay open.
Pariah Planet|Murray Leinster

British Dictionary definitions for alerted

alert

adjective (usually postpositive)

vigilantly attentivealert to the problems

brisk, nimble, or lively

noun

an alarm or warning, esp a siren warning of an air raid

the period during which such a warning remains in effect

on the alert

on guard against danger, attack, etc
watchful; readyon the alert for any errors

verb (tr)

to warn or signal (troops, police, etc) to prepare for action

to warn of danger, an attack, etc

Derived Formsalertly, adverbalertness, noun

Word Origin for alert

C17: from Italian all'erta on the watch, from erta lookout post, from ergere to build up, from Latin ērigere; see erect

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for alerted

alert

adv.

"on the watch," 1590s, from French alerte "vigilant" (17c.), from phrase à l'erte "on the watch," from Italian all'erta "to the height," from erta "lookout, high tower," noun use of fem. of erto, past participle of ergere "raise up," from Latin erigere "raise" (see erect). The adjective is attested from 1610s, the noun from 1803, and the verb from 1868. Related: Alerted; alerting.

Idioms and Phrases with alerted

alert

see on the alert.

alert

adjective

noun

verb (used with object)

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Idioms

Origin of alert

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for alerted

alert

adjective (usually postpositive)

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for alert

alert

alert