Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective watchful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of watchful are alert, vigilant, and wide-awake. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

When could alert be used to replace watchful?

Although the words alert and watchful have much in common, alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

Where would vigilant be a reasonable alternative to watchful?

The meanings of vigilant and watchful largely overlap; however, vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

When is wide-awake a more appropriate choice than watchful?

The words wide-awake and watchful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Examples of watchful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To escape the media’s spotlight and her mom’s watchful eye. Jamie Lang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2024 However, the lens eventually takes on the conceptual presence of a watchful, curious eye. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024 People living with the syndrome will have to keep a watchful eye on symptom flare-ups and see a healthcare provider if their medication stops working or experience a flare. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024 The final round saw Shaw, Wells, and Gross face off, with each contestant delivering creative cocktails under the watchful eyes of judges Chai Lee–winner of the inaugural Coramino Cup–Wendy Hodges, and Gina Farrel. Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for watchful 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'watchful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near watchful

Cite this Entry

“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on watchful

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