as in awake
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
an open-eyed deer cautiously grazed in the backyard
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Recent Examples of open-eyed
An open-eyed believer in a future of sunlight, even with storm clouds and meteors on the horizon.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Additionally, Swift’s collaboration on Tortured Poets with the British singer Florence Welch who has reimagined herself as Beata Beatrix (Blessed Beatrice) and an open-eyed and self-aware Ophelia for her own album art, reminds us Swift has been moving in Siddall’s orbit for some time.
—Emily J. Orlando
october 1, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2025
Her debut full-length, al romper la burbuja, features 14 songs that speak to the daily angst of a 21-year-old navigating the world with open-eyed curiosity.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 18 July 2025
Without their glowing, open-eyed performances, often shown in extremely tight close-ups, the film might have floated off like the green fairy from the absinthe bottle.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
There are other open-eyed Republicans on the 2026 ballot including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
For Hazony, the common good can be divined from an open-eyed examination of history and nature.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Additionally, Swift’s collaboration on Tortured Poets with the British singer Florence Welch who has reimagined herself as Beata Beatrix (Blessed Beatrice) and an open-eyed and self-aware Ophelia for her own album art, reminds us Swift has been moving in Siddall’s orbit for some time.
—Emily J. Orlando
october 1, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2025
Her debut full-length, al romper la burbuja, features 14 songs that speak to the daily angst of a 21-year-old navigating the world with open-eyed curiosity.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 18 July 2025
Without their glowing, open-eyed performances, often shown in extremely tight close-ups, the film might have floated off like the green fairy from the absinthe bottle.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
There are other open-eyed Republicans on the 2026 ballot including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
For Hazony, the common good can be divined from an open-eyed examination of history and nature.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-eyed
Adjective
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After Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, had gone to bed, Kellen and Levine were still awake, Kellen said.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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The right one should be able to identify what is actually keeping you awake.—
Emily Cegielski,
Flow Space,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The system uses a network of acoustic sensors to detect, locate and alert police to shots fired.—
Divya Ramjee,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
-
Stay alert and avoid headphones on trails.—
Nic Uff,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
-
The result feels less like a digital filing cabinet and more like a quietly vigilant travel desk that keeps watch while the traveler focuses on work, family, or simply making it to the gate.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
At a celebratory exhibition match last week in the capital, under the watchful eye of the supreme leader, Naegohyang faced off against the under-17s team, who just added an Asian Cup to their impressive array of silverware, trouncing Japan 5-1 in the final.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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Eaton Canyon, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, has been closed to the public since the 2025 Eaton Fire, and regrowth is beginning to emerge, with watchful eyes monitoring its progress.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The slim, precision wand grips even the straightest lashes, creating a wide-awake, lash-lift effect in just one coat.—
Olivia Cefalu,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
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From horror flicks and wild comedies to chilling thrillers and works that defy any genre, these films will keep you wide-awake and on the edge of your seat.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-eyed. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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