Synonyms

watchful

American

[woch-fuhl] / ˈwɒtʃ fəl /

adjective

vigilant or alert; closely observant.

The sentry remained watchful throughout the night.

Synonyms:

wary, cautious, circumspect, careful, heedful, attentive
Archaic. wakeful.

watchful British

/ ˈwɒtʃfʊl /

adjective

vigilant or alert
archaic not sleeping

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See alert.

Other Word Forms

self-watchfulness noun
unwatchful adjective
unwatchfully adverb
unwatchfulness noun
watchfully adverb
watchfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of watchful

First recorded in 1540–50; watch + -ful

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.

Bar an attempted scoop at Scott Boland, Brook backed up his watchful 45 in the first innings with a careful 30 from 56 balls.

From BBC

Stokes took a horrible blow to the head off Mitchell Starc, yet was not shaken from his watchful vigil.

From BBC

Having laid the groundwork for a prolonged pause, the committee is now well positioned for watchful waiting.

From Barron's

Gene immediately spots me and starts glaring with the watchful eyes of a murderous velociraptor.

From Literature

Perhaps determined to set an example to his team-mates after their dismal display on Saturday, captain Ben Stokes dug in for a watchful 50 off 152 balls.

From BBC

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