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Definitions

on the watch

ADJECTIVE
on one's guard
Synonyms
WEAK
alert careful cautious defensive guarded heedful mindful observant on guard on one's toes on the lookout upon one's guard vigilant watchful
ADJECTIVE
watchful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attentive careful cautious observant suspicious vigilant wary
STRONG
alert
WEAK
all ears chary circumspect glued guarded heedful hooked keen not missing a trick on guard on one's toes on the ball on the job on the qui vive open-eyed prepared ready see after see to unsleeping wakeful wide-awake with eyes peeled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless heedless inattentive incautious indiscreet rash thoughtless uncareful unobservant
WEAK
negligent
ADVERB
on guard
Synonyms
WEAK
alert careful cautious defensive guarded heedful mindful observant on one's guard on one's toes on the lookout vigilant wary watchful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Meta AI glasses are new, and while those devices aren’t as common, adults are on the watch now.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

Second-year interior lineman Dontay Corleone - whose nickname, of course, is “The Godfather” - is on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in college football.

From Washington Times • Aug. 18, 2023

The reply is garbled, but a Coast Guard marine broadcast shortly after told seafarers to be on the watch for a yellow life raft.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2023

South Floridians were on the watch for falling iguanas.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2022

At first they took care to remain in cover and continually on the watch for cats.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.