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Synonyms

watch over

Idioms  

  1. Guard for protection or safekeeping, as in There were only two aides watching over that large group of children. This idiom was first recorded in 1526.

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.

Her home is a shrine to Regency England; a life-size cutout of actor Colin Firth—from what many consider the best of the many renditions of “Pride & Prejudice”—stands watch over her much-ruffled bedroom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The duo donned matching leather jackets as they stood side-by-side to watch over a vast military procession.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Keeping watch over Perranporth Beach and its steep cliffs led Winston Graham to create Ross Poldark.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Monroe coach Leo Hernandez said he got his position in 1999 because he could run with his athletes to keep watch over them.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

"The Globe's audience is customarily between five hundred and one thousand. Do you suppose they can watch over every member of it?"

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.