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watch list

American  
Or watchlist

noun

  1. a list of persons or things to watch for possible action in the future.

    a watch list of possible growth stocks.


Etymology

Origin of watch list

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

See Examples For:

Oram added the petition was used as "the basis of a watch list" for people carrying out "activities that were considered distasteful".

From BBC Sep. 11, 2026

Standouts for your weekend watch list: If you’re going to the movies this weekend, check out Anne Hathaway’s new dinosaur film, The End of Oak Street.

From Slate Aug. 14, 2026

That means investors should compile a watch list of areas they may want to buy on weakness.

From Barron's Jun. 11, 2026

By the time of the attack, Otto, Friedel and Ruth were all on a government watch list, with orders for their arrests in the event of war.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 4, 2025

Anyone who hangs out at Cape Fear Pier in the middle of the night needs to be on a watch list.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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