as in vigilance
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
it was only her motherly watchfulness that saved the boy from an accident
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Recent Examples of watchfulness
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
With calm resolve, the United States and the European Union have each made decisions in recent days showing a firm watchfulness against big-power aggression.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2025
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
With calm resolve, the United States and the European Union have each made decisions in recent days showing a firm watchfulness against big-power aggression.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2025
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchfulness
Noun
-
Qubits of any sort are extremely error-prone, and computing with them will require constant vigilance.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency encourages organizations to heighten their cybersecurity vigilance during periods of elevated geopolitical risk.—
William Akoto,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sleep medications; muscle relaxants; antipsychotic medicines, and antiseizure drugs, all of which may reduce alertness or coordination.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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These foods contain compounds that give your brain a little jolt of energy by stimulating alertness, mood, and cognition.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Wednesday, the intro to space class at Metropolitan State University of Denver held a watch party for the Artemis II mission launch.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The alert will affect the entire region except for upper Bucks County and Lehigh and Northampton counties, where the growing season hasn't started yet.—
Grant Gilmore,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The alert was issued Tuesday and remains in effect through Saturday, April 11, officials said.—
Mark Price
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchfulness. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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