Synonyms of vigilant

vigilant

adjective

ˈvi-jə-lənt 

as in alert

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

the night watchman, who was usually vigilant, apparently dozed off and didn't notice the vandals sneaking in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alert
• awake
• watchful
• careful
• aware
• cautious
• attentive
• observant
• regardful
• wary
• wide-awake
• alive
• sensitive
• conscious
• open-eyed
• on the alert
• prepared
• on the ball
• keen
• on the qui vive
• mindful
• tentie
• cognizant
• on guard
• on tiptoe
• Argus-eyed
• heedful
• tenty
• hypervigilant
• wakeful
• observing
• sleepless
• on one's toes
• chary
• ready
• sharp-eyed
• hyperalert
• sharp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• absent
• distracted
• oblivious
• preoccupied
• asleep
• unaware
• dreaming
• absorbed
• sleeping
• unconscious
• dazed
• engrossed
• dreamy
• careless
• insensible
• abstracted
• unwitting
• inattentive
• unknowing
• heedless
• unmindful
• absentminded
• unthinking
• unprepared
• unwary
• daydreaming
• faraway
• unready
• unheeding

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vigilant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vigilant are alert, watchful, and wide-awake. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

Where would alert be a reasonable alternative to vigilant?

The words alert and vigilant can be used in similar contexts, but alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

When is watchful a more appropriate choice than vigilant?

The meanings of watchful and vigilant largely overlap; however, watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

When is it sensible to use wide-awake instead of vigilant?

Although the words wide-awake and vigilant have much in common, wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vigilant

Looking ahead, Lamont said Friday after the State Bond Commission meeting that officials will remain vigilant. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2025

But being vigilant and seeking medical attention at the first sign of the illness—which is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same culprit behind chicken pox—can make a big difference in your recovery. —Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025

But this is just one of several ways the Trump administration is targeting the PSLF program — so borrowers on track for loan forgiveness must continue to remain vigilant. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Remain vigilant in our name, and in memory of us; recognize when human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights and minority rights are being violated. —Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025