hypervigilant

adjective

hy·​per·​vig·​i·​lant ˌhī-pər-ˈvi-jə-lənt 

variants or hyper-vigilant

: extremely or excessively vigilant : highly or abnormally alert to potential danger or threat

After an accident or an assault, most people tend to feel unsafe, to have a reduced startle threshold, and to be hypervigilant.

—Irvin D. Yalom

Through its hypervigilant security measures, this state-run airline keeps its passengers safe from everyone except its own surly flight attendants.

—Craig Offman

We all have to be hyper-vigilant about our own affairs and those of our kids and elderly loved ones.

—Teresa Dixon Murray

Examples of hypervigilant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And some say that expecting families to reverse a large-scale health trend — especially one involving something as intimate as menstruation — forces parents to become hypervigilant and could even put their kids at risk of eating disorders. —Anna North, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

The judge reminded jurors to not talk about this case with anyone and be hypervigilant for any trial talk on TV — and to immediately change the channel if Combs' name is said. —Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 May 2025

Still, anyone doing a rollover — of any sort — should be hypervigilant. —Ron Lieber, New York Times, 17 May 2025

Rutherford makes Agathe appear at once hypervigilant and flummoxed, and perhaps this is the truest Austen touch in the movie. —Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hypervigilant

• vigilant