vigilant

adjective

vig·​i·​lant ˈvi-jə-lənt 

: alertly watchful especially to avoid danger

vigilantly adverb

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for vigilant

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 vigilant in a Sentence

Over the years, as tension between pitchers and hit batsmen heightened to the point that hitters began rushing the mound, umpires have had to become far more vigilant about keeping the game from degenerating into a dogfight. —Buzz Bissinger, Sports Illustrated, 21 Mar. 2005

At the Château de Wideville's magnificent seventeenth-century gates, guests have their names ticked off by vigilant staff and then snake through a lugubrious park à l'anglaise. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, September 2002

And as a foreign tourist in North Korea, under the care of vigilant minders who wanted me to see only the best, I had enjoyed the finest fare available. —Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, January 2001

A vigilant hand had, as usual, kept the fire alive and the lamp trimmed; and the room, with its rows and rows of books, its bronze and steel statuettes of "The Fencers" on the mantelpiece and its many photographs of famous pictures, looked singularly home-like and welcoming. —Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920

When traveling through the city, tourists should be extra vigilant.

They were vigilant about protecting their children.

We remain vigilant against theft.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

These challenges necessitate a vigilant and prepared leadership, capable of navigating through the uncertainties with strategic foresight and resilience. —Soulaima Gourani, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024

To achieve a happy, fraud-free new year, remain vigilant, listen to your instincts, and learn to spot red flags. —Michael Steinbach, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024

In the past five years, NYCHA has achieved many significant milestones, while remaining vigilant to ensure integrity in every area of our work. —Jesse Zanger, Ali Bauman, Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2024

Though the worst of the storm was past, Bass warned city residents to remain vigilant. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024

The Met has advised owners of high-value watches to stay vigilant on the streets, wear long sleeves to cover their timepieces, and photograph their collection for insurance purposes. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2024

Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate, said customers should remain vigilant in the meantime. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2024

Scams are common during tax season, so stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the IRS. —Tanza Loudenback, wsj.com, 9 Jan. 2024

To be vigilant—to live without illusions about the ever-present threat of annihilation—was a primary value at No. 4 Haportzim Street, once the Jerusalem address of the Netanyahu family. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2024

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots), from Latin vigilant-, vigilans, from present participle of vigilare to keep watch, stay awake, from vigil awake

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vigilant

• under the watchful/vigilant eye of
• hyper-vigilant

• under the watchful/vigilant eye of
• hyper-vigilant

Kids Definition

vigilant

adjective

vig·​i·​lant ˈvij-ə-lənt 

: alert to signs of danger

vigilantly adverb