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

Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 9 June 2025

Ron Martin, the Burleson officer who oversaw the case, urged shoppers to be vigilant when buying gift cards from racks at big box retailers. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025

Arkansas officials urged residents of the surrounding Izard County to stay vigilant and lock the doors of their homes and vehicles following his escape. —Jack Moore, ABC News, 6 June 2025

Although, as always, please remain vigilant and look out for any suspicious messages. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025