Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

observant

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of observant

1 paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity

  • if you were more observant, you would perceive that something is troubling her deeply
Synonyms of observant

alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], vigilant, watchful, wide-awake
Words Related to observant

alive, aware, conscious, sensitive

cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed

hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful

careful, cautious, chary, wary

prepared, ready
Phrases Synonymous with observant

on guard, on one's toes, on the alert, on the ball, on the qui vive, on tiptoe
Near Antonyms of observant

absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied

sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting

careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary

unprepared, unready
Antonyms of observant

asleep

2 having the mind fixed on something

  • observant viewers will notice that the position of hero’s facial wound changes in the course of the scene
Synonyms of observant

absorbed, attentive, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused (also focussed), immersed, intent, rapt
Words Related to observant

engaged, interested, intrigued, involved

hypnotized, mesmerized

alert, alive, conscious, open-eyed, watchful, wide-awake
Phrases Synonymous with observant

all ears
Near Antonyms of observant

daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote

apathetic, disinterested, uninterested
Antonyms of observant

absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused (also unfocussed)

Learn More about observant

  1. See words that rhyme with observant Dictionary: Definition of observant Spanish Central: Translation of observant Nglish: Translation of observant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of observant for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up observant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games