as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
the night watchman, who was usually vigilant, apparently dozed off and didn't notice the vandals sneaking in
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Recent Examples of vigilant
Ever vigilant still, Elmer has mapped three escape routes from his shoe stand, just in case the task force reappears.
—
Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
Officials have recommended people stay vigilant and have an emergency plan in case of a snake bite, including knowing their location, trail names and GPS coordinates.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Parents should be extra vigilant because this is an accident-prone day for your kids.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigilant
Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
Officials have recommended people stay vigilant and have an emergency plan in case of a snake bite, including knowing their location, trail names and GPS coordinates.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Parents should be extra vigilant because this is an accident-prone day for your kids.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigilant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilant
Adjective
-
This isn't the first type of alert system for the deaf or hard of hearing, though.—
Shirl Leigh
May 03,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
-
Boisvert said the man was alert and conscious at the scene and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Electrodes measuring body and brain activity verified that the participants were not awake.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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Waking up and staying awake is the hardest part of the day for many, but this alarm clock can make the whole process much smoother.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During construction, the Feins purchased the house next door and lived there, keeping a watchful eye on the work.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
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Viktor Arvidsson, who was knocked woozy and out of the lineup on a high hit from the Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson in Game 4, was skating under the watchful eye of skating and skills coach John McLean at Warrior Ice Arena on Friday morning.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
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Through some careful engineering, Roberts, Alito, and their allies have created a trap for voting-rights cases.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The four set lines enforce my preferred tab orthodoxy—four spaces, with tab and backspace both aware of this.—
Lee Hutchinson,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
-
Upon further investigation, police became aware of earlier reports as well as an online video, which went viral on Facebook, showing the beaver attacking other people in the park.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigilant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilant. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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