Synonyms of watch

watch 1 of 2

verb

ˈwäch 

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

• observe
• eye
• follow
• see
• view
• stare
• monitor
• look
• guard
• gaze
• have one's eye on
• gawk
• study
• behold
• look on
• perceive
• peer
• gape
• regard
• wake
• spy
• glimpse
• peek
• glare
• rubberneck
• ward
• goggle
• peep
• bird-dog
• glance
• espy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blink
• wink

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

• follow
• note
• observe
• obey
• listen (to)
• heed
• regard
• consider
• respect
• hear
• contemplate
• mind
• see
• keep
• weigh
• ponder
• conform (to)
• notice
• comply (with)
• attend (to)
• mull
• mark
• hearken (to)
• hark (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• dismiss
• tune out
• pass over
• neglect
• scorn
• discount
• brush (aside or off)
• gloss (over)
• shrug off
• defy
• flout
• slight
• pooh-pooh
• gloze (over)
• snub

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

• monitor
• cover
• observe
• keep an eye on
• view
• look
• see
• stare
• notice
• eye
• sight
• spy
• witness
• note
• surveil
• gaze
• glimpse
• behold
• peek
• peer
• regard
• gape
• peep
• gawk
• espy
• glance
• glare
• rubberneck
• goggle

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

• care
• mind
• notice
• attend
• observe
• look out (for)
• regard
• feel (for)
• heed
• note
• sympathize (with)
• empathize (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• overlook

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

• supervise
• oversee
• attend
• manage
• tend
• protect
• look after
• guard
• operate
• see to
• control
• run
• care (for)
• mind
• see after
• conduct
• guide
• superintend
• take care of
• govern
• regulate
• direct
• safeguard
• patrol
• mother
• preside (over)
• shield
• baby
• administrate
• steward
• babysit
• shepherd
• chaperone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• abandon
• disregard
• pass over
• neglect

watch

2 of 2

noun

1

as in guard

a person or group that watches over someone or something

the neighborhood crime watch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guard
• guardian
• custodian
• keeper
• warden
• watcher
• sentinel
• lookout
• picket
• patrol
• sentry
• watchman
• bodyguard
• observer
• warder
• minder
• defender
• escort
• honor guard
• spotter
• watchdog
• convoy
• surveillant
• gatekeeper
• hack

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

• watchfulness
• alert
• vigilance
• alertness
• attentiveness
• red alert
• mindfulness
• qui vive
• consciousness
• awareness
• sensitivity
• preparation
• readiness
• care
• receptiveness
• receptivity
• aliveness
• chariness
• cautiousness
• wariness
• carefulness
• heedfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distraction
• daze
• daydreaming
• absorption
• preoccupation
• abstraction
• engrossment
• absentmindedness
• obliviousness
• unconsciousness
• inattention
• carelessness
• unawareness
• inattentiveness
• heedlessness
• inobservance
• unwariness

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

• lookout
• surveillance
• vigil
• observation
• inspection
• supervision
• observance
• scrutiny

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of watch

Verb

Greene’s film interweaves scenes from the family’s movies, footage of them being filmed, moments from real life, interviews; watching Too Much Sugar is like being rolled around inside a kaleidoscope of documentary images. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026

The Jayhawks soaked up most of the third quarter with another touchdown drive, and Ballard and the backups took care of the rest, much to the delight of PGA Tour star and Kansas alum Gary Woodland, who watched the game from the sideline. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Noun

Besides the Duo, Apple also rolled out the rest of its lineup, offering new iPhones, watches and Airpods. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Users also accumulate watches, earbuds, tablets, computers, cloud services, messaging habits, photos, accessories and smart-home devices around those platforms. — Mark Vena, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing watch

• watch (for)
• watch out (for)
• watch over