VIGILANCE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

vigilance

noun

ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s

Definition of vigilance

as in watchfulness

the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger eternal vigilance is the price of freedom

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vigilance Pressure may sharpen vigilance, intensify focus, and mobilize the mental faculties leaders need to respond effectively. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Officials across the islands are opening shelters, canceling events and urging vigilance as Lala’s impacts spread toward Maui, Oahu and Kauai, a region still scarred by recent floods. — Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Kim was credited as an essential member of George Washington’s Reactor Department for his unwavering vigilance. — Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026 Still, today, all this vigilance covers less than 2 percent of America’s roughly 40,000 movie screens. — Lane Brown, Vulture, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vigilance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilance

Noun

For now, the consensus among Wall Street’s economists is less alarm than watchfulness.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.

— Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

Definition of watchfulness

Noun

Still, there’s a kind of hip, comfort food aspect to the entire enterprise that keeps it an easy, if slightly cluttered and overlong watch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
In less time than that, the salesperson came back with my three watches and just gave them to me.

— Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of watch

Noun

To achieve this, the locus coeruleus continuously alternates between tonic activity—governing baseline arousal and alertness—and brief phasic bursts that focus attention on critical events.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
During the campaign, candidates are in a state of constant alertness.

— Max Taves, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of alertness

Browse Nearby Words

vigil

vigilance

vigilant

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“Vigilance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilance. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vigilance

noun

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