as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
the toddler played under the watchful eye of her parents
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Recent Examples of watchful
The new set will let builders assemble the mischievous supernatural messenger and his watchful bird companion.
—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Now a mother of two, Diana spent much of the celebration in 1985 holding Harry while keeping a watchful eye on her eldest son.
—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
In either case, the meteors literally bring their far-distant, otherwise-inaccessible parent bodies down to Earth, where watchful scientists can better study them.
—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
Under the watchful gaze of head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his teammates went through drills as the temperature hovered around a humid 90 degrees.
—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Now a mother of two, Diana spent much of the celebration in 1985 holding Harry while keeping a watchful eye on her eldest son.
—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
In either case, the meteors literally bring their far-distant, otherwise-inaccessible parent bodies down to Earth, where watchful scientists can better study them.
—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
Under the watchful gaze of head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his teammates went through drills as the temperature hovered around a humid 90 degrees.
—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
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First responders found the woman conscious and alert after an umbrella stake pierced her shoulder.
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On 19th Street between The Paseo and Vine Street, officers found two women with gunshot wounds who were conscious and alert and one man who was unresponsive, Kansas City Police Department spokesman Capt.
Adjective
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Officials urge visitors to stay vigilant Authorities and experts alike said one of the largest factors in preventing an attack is whether law enforcement is notified about suspicious activity beforehand.
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The spokesperson noted that labor inspections of working conditions have increased and encouraged houses to remain vigilant and fully compliant with regulations.
Adjective
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This technique is designed to break the mental association between your bed and the frustration of being awake.
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Fire officials later said the lifeguard remained awake throughout the ordeal and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Adjective
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Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess.
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Ultimately, the widespread adoption of AI for mental health constitutes a global experiment with both potential benefits and serious downsides that require careful management.
Cite this Entry
“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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