as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
the toddler played under the watchful eye of her parents
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Recent Examples of watchful
Under her watchful eye, over the next 20 minutes, the children rush about, looking for specimens to view through their microscopes.
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Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024
The next night, those same ensigns ordered an apprentice to take the watchful pedometer and shake it while the night watchmen took their normal rest.
—Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
With that regulatory overhang expected to lift next year, investors are keeping a watchful eye for the next big company to begin buying bitcoin.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 20 Nov. 2024
In stage one the car is controlled remotely by a watchful parent.
—Vijay Govindarajan,
tojin T. Eapen,
daniel J. Finkenstadt, Harvard Business Review, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for watchful 
Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024
The next night, those same ensigns ordered an apprentice to take the watchful pedometer and shake it while the night watchmen took their normal rest.
—Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
With that regulatory overhang expected to lift next year, investors are keeping a watchful eye for the next big company to begin buying bitcoin.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 20 Nov. 2024
In stage one the car is controlled remotely by a watchful parent.
—Vijay Govindarajan,
tojin T. Eapen,
daniel J. Finkenstadt, Harvard Business Review, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
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Indianapolis weather:Potential snow squalls have Indianapolis meteorologists on alert Flash freezing for this evening As temperatures fall later on today into the evening flash freezing on the surfaces of roads will also be possible.Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024
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Residents with eucalyptus trees in or near their yard should also be on alert, since the trees are highly flammable and have shallow root structures.Maura Fox, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The study also urges healthcare providers to be more vigilant when diagnosing histoplasmosis, particularly in marijuana growers and highlights the need for testing commercial bat guano for Histoplasma and educating users on proper handling to avoid fungal infections.Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Historically, country music has been vigilant about newcomers immersing themselves in the genre’s roots, and Post got his boots dirty to prove his bona fides.Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In another bedroom, Jamie is awake and thinking about Lord John.Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 20 Dec. 2024
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Fruit flies sing, get drunk and can be kept awake with caffeine, suggesting even more similarities between their brains and ours.Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Identifying ground zero for the advent of Dengue Fever can be tricky, but careful research has identified Aquarius Records in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District as the primary origin of the infectiously melodic band.Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
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Going slowly and applying heat with a hair dryer can help reduce the risk of damage, but the difficulty of this process is a solid reason to be careful with your installation.Simon Hill, WIRED, 27 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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