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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Though the maneuver took place under the watchful gaze of ground control, the satellites aligned and maintained their relative positions, down to a single millimeter, autonomously.
—
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025
In a twenty-year-old with no relevant history, the same finding is likely benign—watchful waiting may suffice.
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The cops keep turning up (an itchy Kim Dickens and the more watchful Bobby Naderi) and casting aspersions.
—Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
The best way to learn and internalize this kind of skill is by going through a leadership program that delivers sequentially increasing levels of stress, with watchful management.
—Leon E. Moores, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025
In a twenty-year-old with no relevant history, the same finding is likely benign—watchful waiting may suffice.
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The cops keep turning up (an itchy Kim Dickens and the more watchful Bobby Naderi) and casting aspersions.
—Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
The best way to learn and internalize this kind of skill is by going through a leadership program that delivers sequentially increasing levels of stress, with watchful management.
—Leon E. Moores, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
-
This can overwhelm analysts and lead to alert fatigue.—
Bhupendra Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The city's fire chief, Kevin Keddy, said the lifeguard was alert and conscious following the incident.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
This same accident-prone influence might apply to your pet, so be vigilant.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
Maine State Police are warning the community to stay vigilant but have not divulged the cause of death or any details about the crime scene, leaving Stewart’s family with questions and nearby residents with fears that a killer may be among them.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
She was jolted awake by blinking lights and a buzzing phone.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
-
This realization is especially haunting given that Dylan Mortensen, one of the surviving roommates who was awake at the time of the murders, saw someone in a black mask walk through the house.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, later in the day, be careful about jumping to conclusions when dealing with others.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
The takeaway: Be careful about triggering too many credit inquiries.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share