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

Be vigilant against squash bugs and squash vine borers to get the most out of your plants. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 27 May 2025

Recent attempts to use a domestic tragedy as an excuse to restrict homeschooling in the state remind us to be vigilant. —Peter Wolfgang, National Review, 27 May 2025

Residents are advised to remain vigilant for health and fire risks during the peak heat advisory period and to follow all safety recommendations from public health and weather agencies. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025

This is where the first-responder physio plays a critical role — staying vigilant, trusting their training and instincts, and having the courage to make the tough decision to remove a player when necessary. —Geoff Scott, New York Times, 21 May 2025