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View synonyms for watchful

watchful

[ woch-fuhl ]

adjective

  1. vigilant or alert; closely observant:

    The sentry remained watchful throughout the night.

    Synonyms: wary, cautious, circumspect, careful, heedful, attentive

  2. Archaic. wakeful.


watchful

/ ˈwɒtʃfʊl /

adjective

  1. vigilant or alert
  2. archaic.
    not sleeping


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Derived Forms

  • ˈwatchfully, adverb
  • ˈwatchfulness, noun

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Other Words From

  • watchful·ly adverb
  • watchful·ness noun
  • self-watchful·ness noun
  • un·watchful adjective
  • un·watchful·ly adverb
  • un·watchful·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of watchful1

First recorded in 1540–50; watch + -ful

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Synonym Study

See alert.

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Example Sentences

There was no shelling this time, but there was the hum of watchful drones.

The truth is the NYPD is no less watchful because it is not watching everybody.

Under the watchful eye of Zuckerberg, Facebook’s policy seems to be “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

Fuming, Jesse keeps a watchful eye on Walt, but he doesn't speak, or move.

“Nickelodeon was nothing short of amazing to work for, and they had their watchful eye on us all,” he said.

But Lucy had noted, out of the corner of her watchful eye, the arrival of Miss Grains, indignant and perspiring.

The public eye, ever watchful and timid, waits scarcely for the show of danger to take alarm and withdraw its favour.

The baby had wakened with a cry, and a watchful attendant came gliding in at the sound.

The sight of his quietly watchful eyes, his grimly smiling lips, seemed to infuse courage into her anew.

There can be no doubt that Robert's management of home affairs was watchful, energetic, and liberal.

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