Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective watchful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of watchful are alert, vigilant, and wide-awake. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

When could alert be used to replace watchful?

Although the words alert and watchful have much in common, alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

Where would vigilant be a reasonable alternative to watchful?

The meanings of vigilant and watchful largely overlap; however, vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

When is wide-awake a more appropriate choice than watchful?

The words wide-awake and watchful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of watchful It has been suggested the pandemic could increase future rates of neurodegenerative disease and the researchers behind this new study urge clinicians to keep a watchful eye on elderly patients over the coming years. Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025 Here’s what experts are keeping a watchful eye on with regard to Social Security in the upcoming negotiations. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025 All of these cheery things came together under Carmichael’s watchful eye in an effort to share the region with people. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 24 Feb. 2025 On Thursday, Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli announced a new joint venture to house the intellectual property rights of James Bond, ceding creative control of the franchise to Amazon MGM after over 60 years under the watchful eye of the Broccoli family. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
  • In the era of Tame Impala and Arcade Fire, these three tracks sound eerily prescient – more alert and vital than your average 53 year-old archaeological artifact.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Pre-bedtime activities should not be vigorous or engaging enough to make the body and mind more alert.
    Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Even in a market full of whales and insiders, everyday investors can still succeed by staying vigilant, sticking to sound strategies, and keeping a long-term perspective.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • With scammers becoming more sophisticated each year, the IRS is urging taxpayers to stay vigilant and take extra precautions when filing their returns.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Blue light from screens and other sources can keep your brain awake and interfere with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The idea is to match daylight to the period that most people are awake.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In comments at the Morgan Stanley media conference, the Fox CEO was again extremely careful to stress that the goal is not to cannibalize linear television and Fox will not advertise it on linear television but is meant purely to capture those who cut the cord or have never subscribed to cable.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
  • There’s potential for clarity in resolving any lingering tension, but also be careful not to speak too rashly.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on watchful

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