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hypervigilance

American

[hahy-per-vij-uh-luhns] / ˌhaɪ pərˈvɪdʒ ə ləns /

noun

the state or quality of being extremely alert or watchful.

The patient outwardly exhibits classic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including hypervigilance, anxiety, facial tics, and extreme paranoia.

Etymology

Origin of hypervigilance

hyper- ( def. ) + vigilance ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By contrast, her father’s hypervigilance also underlies the narrative.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

The Seafarers' Charity cites hypervigilance, burnout, fatigue, loneliness, depression and anxiety as some of the mental strains facing the 20,000 seafarers stranded by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since February 28.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

Though different from experiencing war as a child, I know the symptoms all too well: the extreme anxiety, hypervigilance – being constantly on guard against threats - flashbacks, nightmares, and depression.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

As I wrote in Strongmen, every authoritarian state seeks to create states of hypervigilance and fear among the public, so that people will self-censor, and comply with whatever the leader asks them to do.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2025

Anxiety, you’d discover, is your friend, viewer hypervigilance your bread and butter.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023