watchfulness

noun

Definition of watchfulnessnext
as in vigilance
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger it was only her motherly watchfulness that saved the boy from an accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of watchfulness Hechinger, all raw nerve and watchfulness, announces himself as a star. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The multiple heads can be said to represent divine watchfulness of the world and devotees. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 For now, the consensus among Wall Street’s economists is less alarm than watchfulness. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow. — Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026 Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 May 2026 In nine short, potent chapters, Beckerman lays out the essential traits of an effective dissident — loyalty, recklessness and watchfulness, among them — to illustrate how communities of resistance are built from the ground up. — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026 A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it. — Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026 With calm resolve, the United States and the European Union have each made decisions in recent days showing a firm watchfulness against big-power aggression. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchfulness
  1. vigilance
  2. alertness
  3. watch
  4. alert
  5. attentiveness
Noun
  • The South's joint chiefs said Saturday the military stepped up surveillance and vigilance for possible further launches from the North and was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But this safety was hard-won, achieved only as a result of unfailing vigilance, as everyone was continually reminded.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigilance
Noun
  • Ellen displays intimacy with Lara in front of Ruby; Lara withholds and then offers attention; Ruby watches with envy, desire, and the alertness of a guest who cannot tell whether she is being welcomed or appraised.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Kratom products contain chemicals that can increase alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of alertness
Noun
  • Parts of the panhandle are now under a hurricane watch or tropical storm watch, and up to 5 feet of storm surge is expected to lash the coast.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Separate Fortune reporting found young shoppers flaunting luxury watches on TikTok and Instagram.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • The alerts have become an increasingly familiar part of life near the border.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • As the Malwarebytes blog notes, a connected vehicle contacting its manufacturer isn’t an issue in itself, since updates, safety alerts, and navigation all require internet access.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of alert
Noun
  • In terms of hospitality, expect a high level of attentiveness.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The Moores used a lot of attentiveness — and prayer — to protect their son.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of attentiveness

Browse Nearby Words

watchful
watchfulness
watching
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Cite this Entry

“Watchfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchfulness. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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