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

His subjects are usually men, but under the watchful eye of Ian, they are shown embodying both their masculine and feminine auras. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Jan. 2025

Cotton farming is a labor-intensive process, requiring workers to toil in the scorching sun for up to 10 hours a day under the watchful eyes of field supervisors. —Photovogue, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2025

In essence, by terming the coin as an artwork, the issuers of $TRUMP shift the coin’s primary purpose away from financial speculation and possibly the watchful eye of the Securities and Exchange Commision. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Former President Barack Obama playfully kept a watchful eye on fellow former President George W. Bush during President Donald Trump’s inauguration. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025

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