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alertness

alertness

14 2.9
A state of being watchful and ready to notice and act on danger or problems
  • noun
  • /əˈlɜrt.nəs/
translation icon : vigilancia
  • Her alertness helped her notice the fire before it spread too far.
  • level of alertness
  • mental alertness
  • maintain alertness

It is a relaxed alertness that's part of presence.

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Examples

  • Maintaining high levels of alertness while driving is crucial for safety on the road.

  • In all these ways and others, Moulsworth demonstrates her alertness both to numbers and to poetic craft.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • What this paper shows is that the level of alertness goes up in the brain.

  • Performance and alertness, however, can be affected throughout a period from 12 AM to 8 AM.

    Academic text (1997)
  • So studies show that One Cup daily has a lot of health benefits like enhanced alertness, attention.

  • Evidence for direct effects of specific types of food on alertness and performance is not yet very compelling.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Using three-by-five name cards for every student will raise the level of alertness.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Your office for five to 10 minutes can help restore your mind to alertness, particularly if you're not getting enough sleep.

    Academic text (2006)
  • As Acheson warned, the need for alertness, for effort, and for discipline will ever be upon us.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Naps can acutely improve alertness, even when people do not report feeling well rested upon awakening.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

attention
vsalertness
1.6

A careful focus on something to notice or think about it

adds quick noticing and readiness to act beyond mere focus
vigilance
vsalertness
33 5.2

A state of watching and staying ready for danger

is quick noticing and responding rather than long continuous watching
responsiveness
vsalertness
9 4.3

A quick, helpful reaction that shows attention or interest

focuses more on noticing danger quickly as well as reacting
acuity
vsalertness
7 8.1

Ability to think quickly and clearly

adds emphasis on rapid notice and readiness to act in danger
attentiveness
vsalertness
3 4.2

Careful watching and listening for other people's needs and feelings

is broader quick notice and reaction, not only thoughtful care
watchfulness
vsalertness
2 4.2

Careful attention to danger or problems to keep people safe

is about fast notice and reaction rather than steady attention
hypervigilance
vsalertness
  • Specialized
1 9.3

To be very alert and watchful because you feel worried or unsafe

is normal quick noticing and response without anxiety
keen observation
vsalertness
1 4.3

Noticing small details and understanding what they mean

leans more toward quick detection of danger and prompt reaction
perceptiveness
vsalertness
1 6.6

Being quick to notice small details and other people's feelings

focuses more on fast noticing and acting in risky situations
wakefulness
vsalertness
1 5.4

Being alert and paying close attention to things around you

emphasizes fast notice and response rather than merely being awake
perceptivity
vsalertness
8.0

A quick ability to notice and understand things

is about readiness to respond to problems as well as noticing
sharp-sightedness
vsalertness
6.8

The ability to notice small details by paying attention

gives more weight to quick reaction to danger alongside perception

Antonyms

234 2.9

Something that takes your attention away from what you are doing

Not paying attention that causes mistakes or hurts others

How Alert

hypervigilance
  • Specialized
1 9.3
vigilance
33 5.2
alertness
14 2.9
watchfulness
2 4.2

Surface Forms

alertness singular
alertnesses plural

Morphology

alertness = alert (transparent) = alert + ness

Standard nominalization of the adjective 'alert' with '-ness' indicating the state or quality of being alert.

Etymology

Alertness comes from the old Italian phrase all'erta, meaning 'to the watch' or 'on the lookout'. Think of someone on a high watch point looking for danger; alertness is that quick readiness to notice and respond to problems.