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 This ideological push-pull is taking place under the watchful eye of Republican politicians eager to claim that Democrats cannot control or protect their own cities. — Ashraf Khalil, ajc, 19 June 2022 But that doesn’t mean James doesn’t keep a caring, watchful eye. — Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2022 Keep a watchful eye for branches, bushes, or shrubs that touch your house and can provide easy access for ants to make their way inside. — Maribeth Jones, Country Living, 14 June 2022 His death from liver cancer in 2017, while under the watchful eye of Chinese security agents, drew an outpouring of grief from liberal Chinese. — Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 So, if your kid seems prone to these kinds of mental health issues, or is really drawn to individual sports then these results should encourage you to talk to them regularly and keep a watchful eye out. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2022 Brosnahan: Under the watchful eyes of the Lord … Well, this is going to make for an awkward segue, but Bruce’s story ends in tragedy. — Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 On Sunday, Ukrainian troops at positions south of Izium kept watchful eyes on the front line as artillery and mortar rounds pierced the sky. — New York Times, 22 May 2022 It was determined the owl was hitting a growth spurt but otherwise healthy and was transported back to the location to be released under the watchful eyes of its parents. — Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 18 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'watchful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.