The phrase "were advised" can be expressed using a variety of synonyms, depending on the context. Instead of "were advised," a similar phrase could be "were informed," "were instructed," "were counseled," or "were recommended." "Were notified," "were cautioned," and "were warned" are additional synonyms. Other options include "were prompted," "were guided," and "were prompted," all of which suggest an element of guidance or direction. "Were given the heads up" is a more informal synonym, while "were alerted" denotes a sense of urgency or importance. Whatever synonym you choose, make sure it accurately conveys the intended tone and message of the original phrase.