1
as in observing
to keep one's eyes on
I turned my head to continue watching the bird as it flew away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in following
to take notice of and be guided by
watch what I do when I run into that kind of problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monitoring
to pay continued close attention to (something) for a particular purpose
watched the situation to see if it improved
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in caring
to have an interest or concern for
you should watch what you eat if you want a long, healthy life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in supervising
to take charge of especially on behalf of another
hired a high school girl to watch their daughter until they got home from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of watching
After watching his ball go into the bunker, the LIV golfer then attacked a nearby water cooler, severing the head of the club from its shaft.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
The upswing suggests that the exhibition industry is beginning to recover from the devastating downturn that occurred in the aftermath of the pandemic when people got out of the habit of watching movies on the big screen and instead turned to Netflix and other streaming platforms.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Because watching Curry try to drag a lifeless roster with zero chance at anything meaningful isn’t inspiring.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Many Hungarians, and others across Europe who were closely watching the election, had feared that a simple majority for Tisza would have been inadequate to truly transform Orbán’s system.
—Justin Spike, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Sherman says watching the film is always emotional for him.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson also joined the online commentary, posting a video of herself watching the livestream of Bieber's set.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
There’s also an external staircase that leads to a sundeck/outdoor living room perfect for whale watching or watching the sun dip into the Pacific.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Ironically, this isolated homeschooler was likely watching other homeschoolers.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
The upswing suggests that the exhibition industry is beginning to recover from the devastating downturn that occurred in the aftermath of the pandemic when people got out of the habit of watching movies on the big screen and instead turned to Netflix and other streaming platforms.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Because watching Curry try to drag a lifeless roster with zero chance at anything meaningful isn’t inspiring.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Many Hungarians, and others across Europe who were closely watching the election, had feared that a simple majority for Tisza would have been inadequate to truly transform Orbán’s system.
—Justin Spike, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Sherman says watching the film is always emotional for him.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson also joined the online commentary, posting a video of herself watching the livestream of Bieber's set.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
There’s also an external staircase that leads to a sundeck/outdoor living room perfect for whale watching or watching the sun dip into the Pacific.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Ironically, this isolated homeschooler was likely watching other homeschoolers.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watching
Verb
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Leaving it all behind for a few days and carrying everything on my back reminded me that the best way to connect with nature is by simplifying, listening and observing what’s around us.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
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Finding a new purpose Ibukun-Okeyode spent much of the 2025 season still with the team, observing practice from the sidelines, often in a neck brace.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The declines come after a winning week for Wall Street, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite climbing to all-time highs last week following a ceasefire between Iran and Lebanon.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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The 16-team field is set following the Play-In Tournament, which featured several close games.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
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The 30-year refinance rate has pulled back noticeably from last week, which could change the calculus for homeowners who've been monitoring the market but haven't yet pulled the trigger.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Volunteer Estella King-Smith said a caring community has blossomed from the seeds of love and joy that Fisher has planted.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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On a sociological and philosophical level, we’re simply never allowed to stop caring.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit argues that Magic City's operators, APS Valet and its leadership, and other affiliated entities were negligent in hiring, training and supervising security personnel, and in allowing armed security to operate in areas accessible to the public without proper safeguards.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Rose Bud native will serve a one-year term representing student interests while assisting the council in supervising chapter affairs and aligning local initiatives with national American Society for Public Administration policies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Once the party ends and the hard work resumes, the production sector will be eyeing potential changes under Magyar.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
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Pritzker, a billionaire Hyatt Hotels heir seeking a rare third term as governor in November and eyeing a bid for the White House in 2028, made two contributions to Illinois Future PAC totaling $5 million in late February and early March, according to Federal Election Commission records.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two people had been taken into custody, police said, also noting that a firearm had been recovered.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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People was the first to report the brand’s massive commercial appeal at launch, noting that the label netted over $1 million in sales within its very first hour.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the people listening was an imposing but soft-spoken guy dressed in black, with a baseball cap nearly covering his eyes.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Shohei Ohtani bounced the first pitch to first baseman Troy Johnston, who fielded it and flipped the ball over the head of pitcher Ryan Feltner, covering first base.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watching. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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