Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective watchful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of watchful are alert, vigilant, and wide-awake. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

When could alert be used to replace watchful?

Although the words alert and watchful have much in common, alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

Where would vigilant be a reasonable alternative to watchful?

The meanings of vigilant and watchful largely overlap; however, vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

When is wide-awake a more appropriate choice than watchful?

The words wide-awake and watchful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of watchful Though the maneuver took place under the watchful gaze of ground control, the satellites aligned and maintained their relative positions, down to a single millimeter, autonomously. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025 In a twenty-year-old with no relevant history, the same finding is likely benign—watchful waiting may suffice. Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 The cops keep turning up (an itchy Kim Dickens and the more watchful Bobby Naderi) and casting aspersions. Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025 The best way to learn and internalize this kind of skill is by going through a leadership program that delivers sequentially increasing levels of stress, with watchful management. Leon E. Moores, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
  • This can overwhelm analysts and lead to alert fatigue.
    Bhupendra Singh, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The National Weather Service on Sunday posted an alert warning of elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere because of wildfire smoke.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize safety when enjoying the surf.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • Authorities were urging residents in the vicinity to stay vigilant and exercise caution as the situation develops.
    Stepheny Price , Bradford Betz , Landon Mion , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • She was jolted awake by blinking lights and a buzzing phone.
    Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
  • On the floor below, another student was still awake.
    Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • In reality, Israel overpowered Iran’s military and outwitted its intelligence with stunning efficiency, demonstrating years, if not decades, of careful preparation in under two weeks.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • If allowed, Andrew will likely bring further reputational damage to the monarchy at a time when the royal ship needs a careful steer.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on watchful

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