to stay alert

Examples

• All

• But for now, we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives.

• Okay, now listen, stay alert.

  Santana (2020)

• You need to stay alert!

  The Garfield Movie (2024)

• And tell the others to stay alert.

  Shooter (2007)

• The best he could do was to stay alert.

  Fiction book (1991)

• My heavy eyes are fighting to stay alert.

  Fiction book (1999)

• We both have to stay alert.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The danger of skin cancer is small if you stay alert and catch it early.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Stay alert, and stay alive.

  The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)

• So please, to repeat what you've heard so many times before, stay alert, maintain social distancing and keep washing your hands.

Synonyms

P

to pay attention

vsto stay alert

∞ 1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

is vigilant watchfulness aimed at spotting danger or changes

W

to watch out

vsto stay alert

• Informal

582 3.0

To be careful to avoid danger or trouble

is ongoing vigilance rather than a single warning or caution

K

to keep an eye on

vsto stay alert

• Informal

408 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

focuses on staying generally watchful rather than ongoing surveillance

L

to look out for

vsto stay alert

291 3.0

Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone

is self-focused vigilance to notice danger or changes

L

to look out

vsto stay alert

153 1.6

Watch for danger or trouble

means a sustained state of watchfulness for changes or risks

B

to beware

vsto stay alert

136 4.1

Be careful and watch for danger

is the continuous act of watching for danger rather than a warning

K

to keep an eye out

vsto stay alert

• Informal

134 3.2

Watch carefully for someone or something

is broader vigilance aimed at avoiding danger or spotting changes

W

to watch one's back

vsto stay alert

• Informal

104 6.8

Be careful about people who might try to harm you

is general alertness to all dangers or changes, not only people

K

to keep one's eyes open

vsto stay alert

97 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

is about general watchfulness rather than specifically visual focus

K

to keep tabs on

vsto stay alert

• Informal

43 3.9

To watch someone or something closely over time to see what happens

emphasizes being watchful for danger rather than tracking progress

K

to keep watch

vsto stay alert

30 3.1

To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble

covers being alert personally rather than formally guarding others

K

to keep one's eyes peeled

vsto stay alert

• Informal

16 4.6

Watch carefully for something important or dangerous

is broader vigilance for danger or any important change

K

to keep a close watch

vsto stay alert

8 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

is the simpler idea of staying watchful rather than intense monitoring

K

to keep one's ears open

vsto stay alert

• Informal

4 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

is broader visual and mental vigilance for danger or change

K

to keep your head on a swivel

vsto stay alert

• Informal

1 8.1

To stay very alert and watch what is happening around you

means staying watchful but not necessarily at intense alert level

K

to keep an eye peeled

vsto stay alert

• Informal

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

is general readiness to notice danger or changes

S

to stay on the ball

vsto stay alert

• Informal

1 7.7

To be alert and ready to act

stresses noticing danger specifically rather than general task readiness

O

on one's guard

vsto stay alert

4.7

Alert and ready to deal with danger or problems

is general continued alertness to notice danger or changes

K

to keep on (one's) toes

vsto stay alert

• Informal

5.8

Make someone stay alert and ready for surprises

describes staying watchful by oneself rather than being kept alert

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

C

complacent

44 6.4

Too satisfied with yourself so you ignore problems or danger

How Alert

to keep a close watch

8 3.0

to stay alert

28 3.4

to pay attention

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology