watch 1 of 2

verb

ˈwäch How to pronounce watch (audio)
Definition of watchnext
1
as in to observe
to keep one's eyes on I turned my head to continue watching the bird as it flew away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to follow
to take notice of and be guided by watch what I do when I run into that kind of problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to monitor
to pay continued close attention to (something) for a particular purpose watched the situation to see if it improved

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to care
to have an interest or concern for you should watch what you eat if you want a long, healthy life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to supervise
to take charge of especially on behalf of another hired a high school girl to watch their daughter until they got home from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

watch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in guard
a person or group that watches over someone or something the neighborhood crime watch

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2
as in watchfulness
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of activity, opportunity, or danger kept a watch over the sick baby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lookout
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity the little boy kept watch at the window for signs of Santa and his sleigh

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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 watch
Verb
During a performance, Hankerson said he was concerned watching as his mom, who’s been performing for 75 years, fumbled through the set. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 The wreck will also serve as a casual amphitheater for performances and watching the sunset. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
To start, scouts' eyes will be on the USC backfield, where quarterback Jayden Maiava and Jordan will be under close watch. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 By 1874, the jeweler had established a full-fledged manufacture in Geneva, producing chronographs and calendar watches with its own movements, before selling the facility to Patek Philippe in 1880. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watch
  1. observe
  2. follow
  3. monitor
  4. care
  5. supervise
  6. guard
  7. watchfulness
  8. lookout
Verb
  • Psychologist Katie Witkiewitz observed in an APA Speaking of Psychology interview that people are increasingly choosing not to drink as a group, and that the communal nature of that choice carries real weight.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Over the course of its five-year mission, the Roman telescope will capture images of the Milky Way, survey the entire sky and observe supernova explosions that occurred as far as 8 billion years ago.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of observe
Verb
  • Carillo delivered a speech so rousing, witty and tender all at once that following her became something of an impossibility.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Braden Montgomery singled and Colson Montgomery followed with the three-run home run, giving the Sox a 4-0 lead.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of follow
Verb
  • Warsh's remarks will be closely monitored for any indication of his views on how monetary policy should respond to persistently above-target inflation, or the impact of rising long-term borrowing costs.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hutton said Calumet College regularly sends representatives to the school to monitor it, including its governance system and academic programs.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of monitor
Verb
  • An autonomous attacker does not care what an organization's SPRS score says, whether its dashboard is green or whether an assessment concluded that a control was implemented.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The remaining Eagles stopped caring about the tug-of-war between art and commerce; for the next five decades, money ruled.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • While not directly involved in controlling the system, humans give Spike rules of engagement all the while, supervising the entire system during operation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Weerasethakul supervised the 4K restorations, which include remastered and remixed audio and new key art for each film.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of supervise
Noun
  • Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • So the first-year guard had to wait around and trust that his new team would figure out a way to get him in the door.
    — Tony East, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
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
  • Brunton told The Times that the county was launching a pilot program (somewhat literally) to use helicopters as fire lookouts.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hiking trails lead to lookouts, while paddleboards allow for spontaneous exploration of the private island's coastline.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lookout

Phrases Containing watch

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wastrels
watch
watchdog
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Cite this Entry

“Watch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watch. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on watch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about watch

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