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
• vigilant
• awake
• careful

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

Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025

Under the watchful eyes and careful hands of the production’s costume designer, there are details about every character embedded in their apparel, little clues left for anyone curious enough to start digging. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Helmed by Ben Leonberg, who co-wrote alongside scribe Alex Cannon, the movie aims to flip the script on the haunted house genre, perhaps bringing to mind another recent entry, Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (2024), a psychological thriller told from the eyes of a watchful, eerie home. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025

Janey was ten then, fair and watchful; Ted, eleven, dark hair curling to his collar. —Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025

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