alert

15 synonyms and 1 antonym for alert, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

warning alive alarm

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

vigilant attentive notification awake lively merry

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

watchful observant rattling brisk alarum alerting

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly.

“Stay alert while driving at night.”

vigilant attentive watchful observant warning notification awake lively merry alive rattling brisk

Opposites

unalert

2. noun

A warning or notification about something that needs attention.

“She got a weather alert on her phone about the incoming storm.”

alarum alerting alarm

3. verb

To warn someone about something.

“A neighbor alerted the fire department to the smoke.”

alarm

How to use alert

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

stay alert issue an alert on high alert security alert

Etymology

From French alerte, from the Italian phrase all'erta, "to the height" (i.e., watching from a tower or lookout).

Full origin of alert →

Frequently asked questions

What does “alert” mean?

The word “alert” means watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly. In plain terms, being watchful and ready to react, or a warning message telling you something needs attention.

How do you pronounce “alert”?

“Alert” is pronounced uh-LURT (/əˈlɝt/ in IPA).

How do you use “alert” in a sentence?

Here is “alert” used in a sentence: “Stay alert while driving at night.”

What part of speech is “alert”?

Depending on how it is used, “alert” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “alert” come from?

The word “alert” comes from French. From French alerte, from the Italian phrase all'erta, "to the height" (i.e., watching from a tower or lookout).

Is “alert” a common word?

“Alert” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “alert” have?

“Alert” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly.

What is the difference between an "alert" and an "alarm"?

An alert is a warning or notification that draws attention to something needing action. An alarm is usually a device or signal triggered by danger, or the feeling of fear it causes; you can receive an alert without it causing alarm.

When should you use "alert" instead of "aware"?

Use "alert" for someone who is watchful and ready to react quickly, and "aware" for someone who simply knows or notices that something exists. A guard can be aware of a risk but must stay alert to respond to it in time.

What is the difference between an "alert" and a "notification"?

Both are messages that draw attention, but an alert usually signals something urgent or important that needs a quick response. A notification can be any routine update, which is why apps often separate critical alerts from ordinary notifications.

People also searched

alive warning alarm awake lively merry notification vigilant attentive rattling brisk observant

Nearby words

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