watchful

adjective

watch·​ful ˈwäch-fəl 

ˈwȯch-

1

archaic

a

: not able or accustomed to sleep or rest : wakeful

b

: causing sleeplessness

c

: spent in wakefulness : sleepless

2

: carefully observant or attentive : being on the watch

watchfully

ˈwäch-fə-lē 

ˈwȯch-

adverb

watchfulness noun

Synonyms

• alert
• Argus-eyed
• attentive
• awake
• observant
• open-eyed
• tenty [Scottish]
• tentie
• vigilant
• wide-awake

Choose the Right Synonym for watchful

watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, alert mean being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity.

watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

Examples of watchful in a Sentence

We need to be more watchful of our children.

The hotel is being built under the watchful eye of its architect.

Recent Examples on the Web

Policymakers have been keeping a watchful eye on wage growth, which can push up consumer prices if companies pass on higher wage costs rather than absorbing them. —Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 6 June 2024

And of course, much of the fun takes place within the iconic Forman home, where Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith) can keep a watchful eye over their granddaughter. —Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

So are the Italian nonnas who haggled with the pushcart vendors and kept a watchful eye on the neighborhood. —Lisa Ellex, SPIN, 3 June 2024

Last year, Cowley reopened under the Experimental Group’s watchful eye having undergone a cool-as-a-cucumber renovation. —Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing watchful

• keep a watchful eye on (someone or something)
• under the watchful/vigilant eye of

Kids Definition

watchful

adjective

watch·​ful ˈwäch-fəl 

ˈwȯch-

: continually on the lookout especially for danger

watchfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

watchfulness noun