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 Keep a watchful eye on the situation in the aftermath, encourage open communication within the team, and be prepared to address any lingering tensions swiftly. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 Alcantara, meanwhile, is still keeping a watchful eye on Perez. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 But under the watchful eye of industry legend Yoshinori Kitase, director of the original game and lead producer for the modern project, the creators of 2020’s Final Fantasy Remake its 2024 sequel Rebirth had a more ambitious vision than a mere retread. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024 Managing public finances can be a challenging task for government officials who have to navigate the complexities of economic issues while under the watchful eyes of their constituents and the media. Julio Gonzalez, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 All under the watchful eyes of new manager Bob Melvin and his coaching staff. Ray Chavez, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024 In Moscow on Monday night, a steady trickle of mourners continued to pay respects to Navalny by laying flowers at the Solovetsky stone, a memorial for victims of the Soviet gulags, under the watchful eye of a dozen or so police officers. Robyn Dixon, Emily Rauhala, arkansasonline.com, 20 Feb. 2024 But everything else is done at the shop, and all production of the chocolates is under the watchful eyes of Liselotte Knösel. Yolanda Evans, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 This is incomprehensible and occurred under the watchful eye of Maryland’s very own Secretary of Juvenile Services, Vincent Schiraldi. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 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

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