Synonyms
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
The Big Ten is one of the more intriguing conferences in college football this year, and Week 2 sees the watchful eyes of CFB fans descending on an interesting mark.
—
Kevin Skiver, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
Officially there are about 6 million Catholics in China, but the number may be higher when counting those who practice at underground churches to avoid Beijing’s watchful eye.
—John Allen, CNN, 3 Sep. 2023
Outdoor gatherings in New York City may fall under the watchful eye of police drones this Labor Day weekend.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2023
Upping the pressure: the customer’s decision to tip or not to tip is often made right under the employee’s and other customers’ watchful eyes.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 27 Aug. 2023
Police also encouraged residents who are going away to arrange for trusted neighbors to pick up mail and keep a watchful eye on unattended homes.
—Collin Robisheaux, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2023
For those of us who have crossed oceans and political systems, to still live under the watchful eyes of the home government can be a profoundly lonely experience, not unlike that of being a racialized minority.
—WIRED, 9 Aug. 2023
Amid the 18 olive trees, and under the watchful eye of Mount San Jacinto, the family can enjoy movies on the massive screen alongside the back of the house.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023
But nearly all the stories portrayed Mr. Carter as the watchful eye.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 27 July 2023
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Kevin Skiver, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
Officially there are about 6 million Catholics in China, but the number may be higher when counting those who practice at underground churches to avoid Beijing’s watchful eye.
—John Allen, CNN, 3 Sep. 2023
Outdoor gatherings in New York City may fall under the watchful eye of police drones this Labor Day weekend.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2023
Upping the pressure: the customer’s decision to tip or not to tip is often made right under the employee’s and other customers’ watchful eyes.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 27 Aug. 2023
Police also encouraged residents who are going away to arrange for trusted neighbors to pick up mail and keep a watchful eye on unattended homes.
—Collin Robisheaux, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2023
For those of us who have crossed oceans and political systems, to still live under the watchful eyes of the home government can be a profoundly lonely experience, not unlike that of being a racialized minority.
—WIRED, 9 Aug. 2023
Amid the 18 olive trees, and under the watchful eye of Mount San Jacinto, the family can enjoy movies on the massive screen alongside the back of the house.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023
But nearly all the stories portrayed Mr. Carter as the watchful eye.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 27 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'watchful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of watchful was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing watchful
Articles Related to watchful
Dictionary Entries Near watchful
Cite this Entry
“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchful. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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