as in watch
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
an army on the qui vive for enemy attack
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for qui vive
Noun
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The batteries are commonly found in products including phones, watches, e-cigarettes, hoverboards and appliances.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026 -
Come football season, this chowder is an easy thing to serve at a watch party.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
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In nine short, potent chapters, Beckerman lays out the essential traits of an effective dissident — loyalty, recklessness and watchfulness, among them — to illustrate how communities of resistance are built from the ground up.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Today, the two South Asian neighbors remain on high alert amid tit-for-tat threats and reports that both sides are preparing for more war.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
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Modern aircraft systems and cockpit alerts are designed to enhance safety, meaning alarms and delays are signs that protections are working.—
Chris Dong,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Qui vive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/qui%20vive. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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