watchful

adjective

watch·​ful ˈwäch-fəl 

ˈwȯch-

1

archaic

a

: not able or accustomed to sleep or rest : wakeful

b

: causing sleeplessness

c

: spent in wakefulness : sleepless

2

: carefully observant or attentive : being on the watch

watchfully

ˈwäch-fə-lē 

ˈwȯch-

adverb

watchfulness noun

Synonyms

• alert
• Argus-eyed
• attentive
• awake
• observant
• open-eyed
• tenty [Scottish]
• tentie
• vigilant
• wide-awake

Choose the Right Synonym for watchful

watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, alert mean being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity.

watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

Examples of watchful in a Sentence

We need to be more watchful of our children.

The hotel is being built under the watchful eye of its architect.

Recent Examples on the Web

Detox is designed to remove drugs from the system — best done under the watchful eye of medical professionals, unlike how it’s often done in California, sometimes to tragic results. —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 9 Apr. 2024

To the court side, lending a watchful eye to her NBA superstar husband Russell Westbrook from the sidelines. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024

Explosive star event will create a once-in-a-lifetime sight in the sky Astronomers are keeping a watchful eye for an explosive event, known as a nova, between now and September. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024

While rehabbers such as Cobb have a place to do their work under the watchful eyes of trainers, nutritionists and performance coaches, the amenities are enough to attract a large swath of the substantial contingent of players who make their offseason homes nearby. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

Keep a watchful eye on the situation in the aftermath, encourage open communication within the team, and be prepared to address any lingering tensions swiftly. —Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024

Alcantara, meanwhile, is still keeping a watchful eye on Perez. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024

But under the watchful eye of industry legend Yoshinori Kitase, director of the original game and lead producer for the modern project, the creators of 2020’s Final Fantasy Remake its 2024 sequel Rebirth had a more ambitious vision than a mere retread. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024

Managing public finances can be a challenging task for government officials who have to navigate the complexities of economic issues while under the watchful eyes of their constituents and the media. —Julio Gonzalez, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing watchful

• keep a watchful eye on (someone or something)
• under the watchful/vigilant eye of

Kids Definition

watchful

adjective

watch·​ful ˈwäch-fəl 

ˈwȯch-

: continually on the lookout especially for danger

watchfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

watchfulness noun