on the qui vive

phrase

as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity The commanding officer ordered the sentries to remain on the qui vive.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for on the qui vive
  1. on the alert
  2. on the ball
  3. on guard
Phrase
  • The area had been hunted by another party the previous week and the muskox were on the alert.
    — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
  • London noir is a rare subgenre — and an especially difficult one to pull off — but Michele Fiascaris’ debut Rain Catcher is a satisfying, seductively atmospheric addition to the canon that will keep even the most jaded of viewers on the alert.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of on the alert
Phrase
  • Addison beat Jacob Parrish in one-on-one coverage, making a smooth adjustment on the ball.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • For the next 30 minutes, Sporting KC showed calm decision-making on the ball and a level of fight that frankly hadn’t been seen in a while.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of on the ball
Phrase
  • The resulting climate of instability and fear meant church communities were constantly on guard against strangers without and enemies within.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • That exemption will be used on guard Eliška Joklová (nee Hamzová), whose third seven-day contract is about to expire.
    — Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of on guard
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

on the other hand
on the qui vive
on the rack
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On the qui vive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on%20the%20qui%20vive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All