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

In the company cafeteria, Hara watched as his coworkers squared off over a game of Go, a board game played with black and white stones on a grid. — HubSpot, 1 Oct. 2026

Sitting in a pediatric intensive care unit last year, watching a ventilator keep her 17-month-old daughter alive, Emily Marris scoured the contents of her phone for evidence to give to California health and food safety investigators. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

Flood watches are in effect along the Interstate 35 corridor. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

The watch is for San Diego County Coastal Areas, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire, San Diego County Inland Valleys, Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills, Orange County Coastal and Orange County Inland. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing watch

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