hypervigilant

American  

[hahy-per-vij-uh-luhnt] / ˌhaɪ pərˈvɪdʒ ə lənt /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• hypervigilantness
  noun
• hypervigilantly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypervigilant

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

Example Sentences

"Because they're constantly frightened of the event happening again, they stay in red alert mode so they're hypervigilant, always looking out for danger, always looking over their shoulder, even when danger isn't there."

From BBC • May 13, 2026

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.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

Then I started going down the checklist: I was hypervigilant; I couldn’t stop reliving the events; I had debilitating anxiety; I had trouble breathing and talking; I experienced intense guilt; I couldn’t sleep or focus.

From Slate • Feb. 1, 2024

A large Swedish study has uncovered a paradox about people diagnosed with an excessive fear of serious illness: They tend to die earlier than people who aren’t hypervigilant about health concerns.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2023

"Those who are hypervigilant due to anxiety or trauma are very prone over-apologizing," James wrote to Salon.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2023