watchfulness

noun

Definition of watchfulnessnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of watchfulness But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow. — Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026 Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 May 2026 In nine short, potent chapters, Beckerman lays out the essential traits of an effective dissident — loyalty, recklessness and watchfulness, among them — to illustrate how communities of resistance are built from the ground up. — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026 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 With calm resolve, the United States and the European Union have each made decisions in recent days showing a firm watchfulness against big-power aggression. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2025 This patience is watchfulness, not idleness. — Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchfulness
  1. vigilance
  2. alertness
  3. watch
  4. alert
  5. attentiveness
Noun
  • This can lead to safety and operational concerns that require vigilance to ensure the protection of all meeting participants.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Still, today, all this vigilance covers less than 2 percent of America’s roughly 40,000 movie screens.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 25 July 2026
Definition of vigilance
Noun
  • The goal is to anchor the body’s rhythms, sharpen daytime alertness and improve sleep timing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
  • Also, never swim after drinking alcohol or using marijuana or other substances that can impact alertness.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of alertness
Noun
  • The event is a free, two-night fan festival featuring interactive fan zones, live music, games, player appearances, giveaways and an MLS watch party.
    — Alex Zietlow July 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
  • San Jose recorded 1 million total downtown visits during the six-week FIFA World Cup, officials announced Friday — a final count over 2 ½ times initial projections — driven by energetic watch parties and strong fan culture in the city.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • The alerts were lifted shortly after and the authorities did not specify the nature or source of the potential danger.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Typhoon Noul is expected to bring winds and heavy rain to southern China including Hong Kong over the weekend, putting the region on high alert.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of alert
Noun
  • There’s an attentiveness to fellow-travellers who misread him, and a desire to understand what other people are looking for.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • That attentiveness showed up in small ways throughout our stay.
    — Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026
Definition of attentiveness

Browse Nearby Words

watchful
watchfulness
watching
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Cite this Entry

“Watchfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchfulness. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on watchfulness

Nglish: Translation of watchfulness for Spanish Speakers

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