1
as in to observe
to keep one's eyes on
I turned my head to continue watching the bird as it flew away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to follow
to take notice of and be guided by
watch what I do when I run into that kind of problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to monitor
to pay continued close attention to (something) for a particular purpose
watched the situation to see if it improved
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to care
to have an interest or concern for
you should watch what you eat if you want a long, healthy life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to supervise
to take charge of especially on behalf of another
hired a high school girl to watch their daughter until they got home from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in guard
a person or group that watches over someone or something
the neighborhood crime watch
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in watchfulness
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of activity, opportunity, or danger
kept a watch over the sick baby
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lookout
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity
the little boy kept watch at the window for signs of Santa and his sleigh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of watch
Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 Feb. 2026
The judges tasted and inspected each one, breathing in the aromas and examining the laminate on the exteriors, while attendees watched from behind the glass-panel walls in Rebel Bread’s new bakery.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
If your watch party is on an outdoor patio, the precise range of temperatures for the Miami area Sunday evening through the game runs 65 to 63 degrees, according to the weather service.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for watch
Verb
According to Kathy Wu, PhD, the author of The Self-Regulation Handbook for Teens & Young Adults, families who engage in rituals like watching the Olympics together are supporting emotional regulation and resilience.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 Feb. 2026
The judges tasted and inspected each one, breathing in the aromas and examining the laminate on the exteriors, while attendees watched from behind the glass-panel walls in Rebel Bread’s new bakery.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Drivers from the ‘60s and ‘70s, from Jack Brabham to Graham Hill and Jim Clark, were all documented to have worn and used their Breitling watches as timing devices.
—Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
If your watch party is on an outdoor patio, the precise range of temperatures for the Miami area Sunday evening through the game runs 65 to 63 degrees, according to the weather service.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for watch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watch
Verb
-
While scientists have long observed this liquid-to-solid transformation, the exact molecular link that converts these fluid droplets into a high-performance final structure has remained a mystery until now.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The strategist added that hurricane politics alone are unlikely to decide the outcome in a state where Senate races tend to follow partisan fundamentals.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Nancy Guthrie’s cell phone, Apple Watch, wallet and car keys were also found inside the home following her disappearance.—
Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Where that fresh water enters the ocean matters, but researchers have struggled to monitor it at scale.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
After reviewing over 30 years of monitoring data, entomologists at the University of Florida (UF) now say both the Formosan and Asian subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi) are expanding their range of destruction.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anybody who ever cared about him is gone.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Chappell Roan doesn't care what anyone thinks of her controversial Grammys outfit.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Also returning to the show’s production team are music director Michael Bearden, production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley, lighting designers Bob Dickinson and Noah Mitz and supervising choreographer Mandy Moore.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Most recently supervising producer, Hardin has been upped to director of production at Dropout after nearly nine years with the company.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Los Angeles Clippers are trading veteran guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Many of those reports mention a possible trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, swapping Harden in exchange for guard Darius Garland.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her ashes sit close at hand, in an urn decorated with the image of a fire lookout.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sunrise at the Wineglass Bay lookout in Freycinet National Park, in Tasmania—one of the best places to visit in the world.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watch. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
