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 of watchful

• 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

Particularly under the watchful, critical gaze of millions of baseball fans. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 28 July 2026

Key Takeaways Active surveillance, or watchful waiting, is often recommended for people with slow-growing CLL who do not have symptoms. — Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 23 July 2026

Some travelers swear by putting Champagne in a carry-on (purchased at duty-free after security) to keep it under their watchful eye. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026

An afternoon at Barton Springs will feel just like childhood summers spent at the neighborhood pool or camp lake with locals swimming laps, kids cannonballing off the diving board, and lifeguards with their watchful eye. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

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