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watchful Definition

watch·ful (-fəl)

adjective

  1. watching closely; vigilant; alert
  2. characterized by vigilance
  3. Archaic wakeful; unsleeping

Related Forms:

watchful Synonyms

watchful

modif.

on guard, keen, vigilant, alert, prepared, wide-awake, careful, observant.

watchful is the general word implying a being observant and prepared, as to ward off danger or seize an opportunity under the watchful eye of her guardian; vigilant implies an active, keen watchfulness and connotes the immediate necessity for this a vigilant sentry; alert implies a quick intelligence and a readiness to take prompt action alert to the danger that confronted them; wide-awake more often implies an alertness to opportunities than to dangers and connotes an awareness of all the surrounding circumstances a wide-awake young salesman

watchful Usage Examples

Preposition: for

  • sign: Be watchful for signs of heat and smoke and contact the fire service if in doubt.

Modifies a noun

  • waiting: Survival was the same for initial management with " watchful waiting " or RT.
  • eye: Lesley was keeping a watchful eye out for suckers on plants.
  • care: Mr. Craig attributed great value to the watchful care bestowed by the manager of the collieries ( Mr.
  • supervision: Finally, under the watchful supervision of several rather intimidating looking security guards, we were at last allowed to read the reports.
  • guidance: Training takes place on the safe and sheltered waters of Langstone Harbor, under the watchful guidance of our professional staff.
  • presence: The resulting horror is filtered through Gromit's drolly watchful presence.

Modifying Another Word

  • ever: B ut we must be ever watchful for the alien hiding in our midst.
  • very: I will be keeping a very watchful eye on the car during my commute.
  • so: I could understand a little why he was so watchful of me with his gear.
  • especially: BPH is becoming a hot topic, and some recent papers help to shed new light on treatment choices - and especially watchful waiting.
  • always: It is always watchful eye out on lake pepin in a global leader.
  • extremely: Air France will remain extremely watchful that this is the case.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: We do however remain watchful of the changing political climate.
watchful Quotes

Home I would go But that my doors are hateful to my eyes, Fill'd and damm'd up with gaping creditors, Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring.

—Otway,Thomas