watchful

adjective

watch·​ful ˈwäch-fəl How to pronounce watchful (audio)
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 adverb
watchfulness noun
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 The housemates will live under the watchful eye of Big Brother 24 hours a day and avoid nomination from their fellow housemates and eviction from the public vote. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024 Kelly Clarkson’s home line at Wayfair is one to keep a watchful eye on thanks to its affordable yet luxurious collection of decor and furniture. Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024 And while the perpetrator could very well be The Night Stalker, Maxine falls under the suspicion and watchful eyes of a pair of LA detectives (Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale). Tim Lammers, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024 Landry Jones carries the film with a watchful caution not dissimilar to seeing history whoosh past his eyes. Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for watchful 

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

Dictionary Entries Near watchful

Cite this Entry

“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchful. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

watchful

adjective
watch·​ful ˈwäch-fəl How to pronounce watchful (audio)
ˈwȯch-
: continually on the lookout especially for danger
watchfully adverb
watchfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on watchful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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