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

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

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

However, the lens eventually takes on the conceptual presence of a watchful, curious eye. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024

People living with the syndrome will have to keep a watchful eye on symptom flare-ups and see a healthcare provider if their medication stops working or experience a flare. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024

The final round saw Shaw, Wells, and Gross face off, with each contestant delivering creative cocktails under the watchful eyes of judges Chai Lee–winner of the inaugural Coramino Cup–Wendy Hodges, and Gina Farrel. —Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Sep. 2024

The film follows Issa (Ibrahima Sambou), an undocumented Senegalese immigrant, who works odd jobs in Turin while evading the watchful eye of the police, just in case. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024

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