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
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
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
Noun
-
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dogs bred for alertness or reactivity may be more attuned to sound, though this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
7 Apr. 2026
-
More daylight can increase signals in the brain that support alertness, mood, and energy.—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Channel 4 has also embraced the move to streaming under Katz’s watch.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tornado sirens, cell phone alerts, high winds and pounding rain woke up Michigan residents as severe weather pushed through the state overnight Tuesday.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 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.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The customer claimed the service lacked attentiveness throughout the evening — and that the staff failed to explain elements of the dining experience.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchfulness. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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