as in vigilance
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
it was only her motherly watchfulness that saved the boy from an accident
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Recent Examples of watchfulness
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchfulness
Noun
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Residents' routines are shaped by caution and vigilance, and QueenEr'Re's death revived longstanding questions about safety and the city's efforts to address violence.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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The sprawling nature of Maryland’s budget, which exceeds $65 billion, and its notorious high-profile cases of political corruption also add an element of vigilance and caution to the definition.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Key Takeaways Mixing caffeine with alcohol may increase alertness, but your blood alcohol level and impairment stay the same.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
9 Mar. 2026
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Chuck Reger, franchise business coach at Five Star Painting, says bright red is highly stimulating and naturally increases alertness.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Yet his name continues to be stamped onto everything — Bibles, sneakers, watches, mobile phones and the Epstein files.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
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Farmers take great care of the creatures under their watch.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Extreme heat warnings and other heat alerts are in effect for millions from San Francisco to Phoenix and are likely to expand with time.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchfulness. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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