as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
the toddler played under the watchful eye of her parents
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Recent Examples of watchful
All under the watchful eyes of thousands online, absorbing the personality of the Chargers star in real time.
—
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any adjustment in how its firms proceed there in the face of a more watchful US.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
For over two decades, efforts to lift the Oakland Police Department out from under the watchful eye of a federal judge have fallen short.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
The teenager is desperate to debut in Regency-era England, sneaking into society events and eagerly attending etiquette lessons under the watchful eye of her sister Eloise (Claudia Jesse).
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any adjustment in how its firms proceed there in the face of a more watchful US.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
For over two decades, efforts to lift the Oakland Police Department out from under the watchful eye of a federal judge have fallen short.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
The teenager is desperate to debut in Regency-era England, sneaking into society events and eagerly attending etiquette lessons under the watchful eye of her sister Eloise (Claudia Jesse).
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for watchful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchful
Adjective
-
That is why staying alert after breach reports matters.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Without it, even the tiredest body stays alert.—
Reem Raouda,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Modern leaders must be vigilant and attentive to emotional undercurrents.—
Paul Vanderbroeck,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Parents like me remain vigilant.—
Coley Gallagher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The results revealed subjects who napped had weaker synaptic connections in their brains than those who stayed awake.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
An October study found speed training may preserve acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that makes the brain more awake, focused and attentive.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As with any sauce, be careful not to over-reduce.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watchful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchful. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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