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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

The starting bid on the watch, by the way, is $800,000 — with final bids that could possibly reach up to $2 million.

From Washington Times • Oct. 18, 2023

Janikowski is on the watch list for the Wuerffel Award, college football’s top award for community service.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Investors are on the watch for the U.S.

From Reuters • Jun. 12, 2023

But elil they met none and although they were continually on the watch for signs of an Efrafan patrol, they saw nothing but mice, and a few hedgehogs hunting for slugs along the ditches.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

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