as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
the toddler played under the watchful eye of her parents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of watchful
The pair stood almost motionless in the middle of the road, ears swiveling, eyes calm but watchful.
—
Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
His defense continues to be under the watchful eyes of defensive coordinator/secondary coach Robert Livingston and Buffs pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp.
—Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Across the street from the house, neighbor Anthony Striplin has kept a watchful eye on what goes on in his neighborhood, which sits a few blocks from the former Greenside housing project that was demolished in 2013.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
His defense continues to be under the watchful eyes of defensive coordinator/secondary coach Robert Livingston and Buffs pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp.
—Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Across the street from the house, neighbor Anthony Striplin has kept a watchful eye on what goes on in his neighborhood, which sits a few blocks from the former Greenside housing project that was demolished in 2013.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
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Aim to exercise outdoors during daylight hours, if possible, and stay alert to your surroundings for safety.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
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That said, since Steal a Brainrot lives on a platform that may pose dangers to kids, parents should stay alert.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Patients should be sure to report symptoms to their clinicians, and clinicians need to be vigilant and consider Legionnaires’ disease as a possibility.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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Leaders must stay vigilant against economic volatility and global health crises.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Aaron Spencer was jolted awake by the frantic barks of his daughter’s chihuahua.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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These wines are lean, mineral-driven and bright enough to jolt even the most skeptical palate awake.—
Devin Parr,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Both coaches and players have been respectful of the other team all week, careful not to produce any bulletin board material.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ben Lewis Doherty, playing a boy named Sam whose life is upended by Robbie, is the show’s greatest innocent, a softhearted moppet who warns deer to be careful when crossing the street.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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