hypervigilant

[hahy-per-vij-uh-luhnt]

adjective

1. especially wary or alert.

   All high school and college coaches need to be hypervigilant about suspected brain injuries.

2. overly sensitive and reactive to stimuli.

   PTSD sufferers may experience nightmares and heightened anxiety, and they may be hypervigilant and develop an increased startle response.

Other Word Forms

• hypervigilantly adverb
• hypervigilantness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypervigilant¹

hyper- ( def. ) + vigilant ( def. )

Example Sentences

That’s something that’s helped me — because I’m very hypervigilant, all my mental health issues are about being in a constant state of fight or flight.

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This hypervigilant policing of speech critical of Kirk reveals hypocrisy on all sides.

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“Cherry is effervescent. It’s always there waiting to come out. She’s so reactive. And I’m hypervigilant for the warning signs before I react. This was like a rage room.”

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Before they cast their ballots, though, voters need to check out Karen Pittman’s magnificent performance as a loving and hypervigilant mom in ‘Forever,’ Mara Brock Akil’s stellar adaptation of the classic Judy Blume novel.”

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As someone who likes to have the same breakfast every morning — a slice of apple pie — and is hypervigilant about counting ballots, all the changes have been hard, but exciting.

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