Watchfulness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈwäch-fəl/ watch·ful

Meaning & Definition of Watchfulness

Watchfulness (adjective)

  1. not able or accustomed to sleep or rest, wakeful
  2. causing sleeplessness
  3. spent in wakefulness, sleepless

Watchfulness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: alert, alertness, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, vigilance, watch
    related: aliveness, awareness, consciousness, mindfulness, receptiveness, receptivity, sensitivity, care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, heedfulness, wariness, preparation, readiness
    near: absentmindedness, abstraction, daydreaming, daze, distraction, absorption, engrossment, obliviousness, preoccupation, unawareness, unconsciousness, carelessness, heedlessness, inattention, inattentiveness, inobservance, unwariness

Related Entry: Watchful (adjective)

Watchful is a different word from Watchfulness. The synonyms below are for watchful, not for watchfulness.

  1. paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity

    "the toddler played under the watchful eye of her parents"

    similar: alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (Scottish), vigilant, wide-awake, on guard, on one's toes, on the alert, on the ball, on the qui vive, on tiptoe
    related: alive, aware, conscious, sensitive, cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed, hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful, careful, cautious, chary, wary, prepared, ready
    opposite: asleep
    near: absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied, sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting, careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary, unprepared, unready

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Watchfulness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Watchfulness:

alert, alertness, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, vigilance, watch

Related Words for Watchfulness

aliveness, awareness, consciousness, mindfulness, receptiveness, receptivity, sensitivity, care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, heedfulness, wariness, preparation, readiness

Near Antonyms of Watchfulness

absentmindedness, abstraction, daydreaming, daze, distraction, absorption, engrossment, obliviousness, preoccupation, unawareness, unconsciousness, carelessness, heedlessness, inattention, inattentiveness, inobservance, unwariness

Word Forms of Watchfulness

Derived words: watchfully (adverb), watchfulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Watchfulness

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Watchfulness

What does "Watchfulness" mean?

"Watchfulness" means not able or accustomed to sleep or rest, wakeful. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: not able or accustomed to sleep or rest, wakeful.

What is another word for "Watchfulness"?

Other words for "Watchfulness" include alert, alertness, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, vigilance and watch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Watchfulness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Watchfulness"?

There are 22 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Watchfulness". Common alternatives include alert, alertness, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, vigilance and watch.

How do you use "Watchfulness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Watchfulness" in a sentence: "it was only her motherly watchfulness that saved the boy from an accident".

Is "Watchfulness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Watchfulness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Watchfulness"?

"Watchfulness" is pronounced /ˈwäch-fəl/ and divided into syllables as watch·ful.

What is the origin of the word "Watchfulness"?

First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Watchfulness" meaning "the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger"?

When "Watchfulness" (noun) means the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger, synonyms include alert, alertness, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert and vigilance.