as in vigilance
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
it was only her motherly watchfulness that saved the boy from an accident
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Recent Examples of watchfulness
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, 27 Jan. 2026
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchfulness
Noun
-
While a watch urges vigilance and planning, a warning means immediate action is needed to stay safe and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her vigilance is intimidating and alluring.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
However its active compounds, which can trigger euphoria or alertness, are technically listed as psychotropic substances, creating a complex legal gray area in Kenya.—
Joseph Maina,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Human tissues can respond to light in ways that extend beyond vision — through photoreceptor signalling in the eye that regulates circadian rhythms, mood, alertness and other functions, as well as through light-sensitive metabolic processes in cells.—
Lynne Peeples,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Wednesday, the intro to space class at Metropolitan State University of Denver held a watch party for the Artemis II mission launch.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Blissfully, though, that means the Kardashians, Real Housewives, and ticker tape news alerts on CNN are thousands of miles away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This release added a ton of stuff for swimmers, including depth tracking and water temperature sensors, as well as sleep apnea alerts for snorers.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchfulness. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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