alert

[ uh-lurt ]

/ əˈlɜrt /

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See synonyms for: alert / alerted / alerts / alertly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: She had 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR alert

1 awake, wary, observant.

2 brisk, lively, quick, active, sprightly, spirited.

See synonyms for alert on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR alert

1 unaware.

See antonyms for alert on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about alert

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

First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 for def. 4; from Italian all'erta, equivalent to all (a ) “to, on the” + erta “lookout, watchtower,” originally feminine of erto, past participle of ergere from Latin ērigere to erect

synonym study for alert

1. Alert, vigilant, watchful imply a wide-awake attitude, as of someone keenly aware of their 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: A stakeout requires watchful waiting.

OTHER WORDS FROM alert

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alert in a sentence

Exposure alerts worked for the governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on.|Geoffrey Fowler|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
On Tuesday, Oaks and his colleagues were alerted that Braddy had fled to Maryland and was considered to be armed and dangerous.
Fugitive who died in gun battle with Md. police killed his estranged girlfriend in Fla., authorities say|Dan Morse|November 18, 2020|Washington Post
He became McMurdo’s resident aurora chaser, reading up on the Southern Lights and alerting his colleagues when they could expect the most dazzling displays.
What You Can Learn from Living in Antarctica - Issue 92: Frontiers|Marissa Grunes|November 11, 2020|Nautilus
To avoid alerting their prey, cheetahs start out hunting low to the ground, where their spotted coat helps them blend into the terrain.
These Photos Remind Us Why Conservation Matters - Issue 92: Frontiers|Kevin Berger|November 11, 2020|Nautilus

In addition, users will be able to configure alerts if there’s no activity or when the first interaction with the device occurs on a daily basis.
Amazon’s new ‘Care Hub’ lets Alexa owners keep tabs on aging family members|Sarah Perez|November 11, 2020|TechCrunch
The Mossad high command must surely be convening emergency meetings in an atmosphere of tension and heightened alertness.
Mossad’s Greatest Female Assassin: An Excerpt From ‘Sylvia Rafael’|Ram Oren,   Moti Kfir|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Researchers have found that a long nap — of two hours or more — can significantly improve alertness for up to 24 hours.
13 Tips for the Best Nap Ever|DailyBurn|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And on the edges of evangelicalism, where alertness to “New Age” influence runs high, concern has bloomed into outrage.
The Strange Saga of ‘Jesus Calling,’ The Evangelical Bestseller You’ve Never Heard Of|Ruth Graham|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like all barbiturates, it can overwhelm alertness to the point of stopping the urge to breathe.
The Death Penalty’s Gruesome Truth|Kent Sepkowitz|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Navigating through high turbulence and electric storms needs total alertness.
Who Was Flying Flight 447?|Clive Irving|June 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Escape may occasionally develop mental alertness, but does not usually do so.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
Then Sogrange's voice and the beat of his forefinger upon the table stiffened him into sudden alertness.
The Double Four|E. Phillips Oppenheim
The prisoner, a few feet from them across the table, was suggestive of neither resistance nor mental alertness.
The Winning Clue|James Hay, Jr.
And she had the look of alertness and perfect health which often accompanies a happy temperament.
The Romance of His Life|Mary Cholmondeley
Life means to M. de Blowitz a mental activity and alertness that never sleep.
McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 2, July, 1893|Various

British Dictionary definitions for alert

alert

/ (əˈlɜːt) /

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 forms of alert

alertly, 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

Other Idioms and Phrases with alert

alert

see on the alert.

alert

OTHER WORDS FOR alert

OPPOSITES FOR alert

Idioms about alert

Origin of alert

synonym study for alert

OTHER WORDS FROM alert

Words related to alert

How to use alert in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alert

Derived forms of alert

Word Origin for alert

Other Idioms and Phrases with alert