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watchful

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adjective watch·ful \ˈwäch-fəl, ˈwȯch-\

Definition of watchful

  1. 1 archaic a :  not able or accustomed to sleep or rest :  wakefulb :  causing sleeplessnessc :  spent in wakefulness :  sleepless

  2. 2 :  carefully observant or attentive :  being on the watch

watchfully

play \ˈwäch-fə-lē, ˈwȯch-\ adverb

watchfulness

noun

See watchful defined for English-language learners

See watchful defined for kids

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Examples of watchful in a Sentence

  1. We need to be more watchful of our children.

  2. The hotel is being built under the watchful eye of its architect.

First Known Use of watchful

15th century

watchful Synonyms

Synonyms
Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], vigilant, alert, wide-awake
Antonyms
asleep
Related Words
alive, aware, conscious, sensitive; cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed; hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful; careful, cautious, chary, wary; prepared, ready
Near Antonyms
absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied; sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting; careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary; unprepared, unready

Synonym Discussion of 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

Phrases Related to WATCHFUL

Related Phrases

WATCHFUL Defined for English Language Learners

watchful

play
adjective

Definition of watchful for English Language Learners

  • : always watching the actions of someone or something : paying careful attention to someone or something

WATCHFUL Defined for Kids

watchful

play
adjective watch·ful \ˈwäch-fəl\

Definition of watchful for Students

  1. :  attentive 1, vigilant The community was extraordinarily safe, each citizen watchful and protective of all children. — Lois Lowry, The Giver

watchfully

\-fə-lē\ adverb

watchfulness

noun

Learn More about watchful

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for watchful Spanish Central: Translation of watchful Nglish: Translation of watchful for Spanish speakers

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Examples: watchful in a Sentence
Tip: Synonym Guide