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 of watchful

• alert
• vigilant
• awake
• careful

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

In her comments, many agreed that OP wasn't in the wrong and cautioned her to keep a watchful eye on the twins. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

At the annual Georgia Economic Outlook, hosted by the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, business leaders, academics and economists gathered to forecast where the state's economy is headed under the watchful eye of stingrays and belugas at the Georgia Aquarium. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

Patience and a watchful eye on the caramel are crucial. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025

In the dance studio, Pierce-Sands had a watchful eye, a wry smile and a loud voice. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2025

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