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vigilant

adjective
vig·​i·​lant | \ ˈvi-jə-lənt How to pronounce vigilant (audio) \

Definition of vigilant

: alertly watchful especially to avoid danger
Other Words from vigilant Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about vigilant

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Other Words from vigilant

vigilantly adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for vigilant

Synonyms

alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], watchful, wide-awake

Antonyms

asleep

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Choose the Right Synonym for vigilant

watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, alert mean being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity. watchful is the least explicit term. the watchful eye of the department supervisor vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness. eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers. wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity. alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

Examples of vigilant in a Sentence

Over the years, as tension between pitchers and hit batsmen heightened to the point that hitters began rushing the mound, umpires have had to become far more vigilant about keeping the game from degenerating into a dogfight. — Buzz Bissinger, Sports Illustrated, 21 Mar. 2005 At the Château de Wideville's magnificent seventeenth-century gates, guests have their names ticked off by vigilant staff and then snake through a lugubrious park à l'anglaise. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, September 2002 And as a foreign tourist in North Korea, under the care of vigilant minders who wanted me to see only the best, I had enjoyed the finest fare available. — Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, January 2001 A vigilant hand had, as usual, kept the fire alive and the lamp trimmed; and the room, with its rows and rows of books, its bronze and steel statuettes of "The Fencers" on the mantelpiece and its many photographs of famous pictures, looked singularly home-like and welcoming. — Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 When traveling through the city, tourists should be extra vigilant. They were vigilant about protecting their children. We remain vigilant against theft.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Serreze cautions any crew attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage right now to be vigilant. — Author: Davis Hovey, Anchorage Daily News, "With sea ice still melting, vessels doing Arctic transits stop at Nome late in season," 10 Sep. 2019 Lack of confidence in it will undermine our trust in everything from personal communications and e-commerce to digital stop lights and online elections. Spoof-proofing the web For everyday web users, the key is staying vigilant. — Vint Cerf, Quartz, "“Father of the internet” Vint Cerf says we need to be less naive if we’re going to fix it," 6 Sep. 2019 Residents in East Coast counties should continue to monitor local reports and stay vigilant. — Fox News, "Hurricane Dorian nears Category 5 with 150 mph winds, Trump warns it could be one of the 'strongest' storms in decades," 1 Sep. 2019 Nonetheless, the home crowd will be keen to see their side claim the win and this will be a match in which Unai Emery's men must be vigilant in order to come out on top. — SI.com, "Arsenal Europa League Fixtures: Confirmed Schedule for 2019/20," 31 Aug. 2019 Doctors should be vigilant and inform patients of the risks. — The Economist, "Legal settlements alone will not solve America’s opioid crisis," 29 Aug. 2019 But experts generally recommend staying vigilant, considering a credit freeze or credit lock, and monitoring your accounts closely for any unusual activity. — Theodore Schleifer, Vox, "A former Amazon employee hacked the credit card data of 100 million Americans," 30 July 2019 The announcement did not specify the individual’s current condition, but health officils doctors to stay vigilant about the potential spread of Powassan throughout the summer and early fall. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Maine Confirmed Its First Case of a Rare Tick-Borne Virus in Years. Here's What to Know About Powassan," 25 July 2019 Please be vigilant with cats and dogs until our temperatures cool down. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, ExpressNews.com, "Outdoor cats suffering in the Texas heat need extra help," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vigilant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vigilant

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for vigilant

Middle English (Scots), from Latin vigilant-, vigilans, from present participle of vigilare to keep watch, stay awake, from vigil awake

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More Definitions for vigilant

vigilant

adjective
How to pronounce vigilant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vigilant

: carefully noticing problems or signs of danger

See the full definition for vigilant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vigilant

adjective
vig·​i·​lant | \ ˈvi-jə-lənt How to pronounce vigilant (audio) \

Kids Definition of vigilant

: alert especially to avoid danger … he was constantly vigilant, looking for the next nearest hiding place should the sound of engines come.— Lois Lowry, The Giver

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More from Merriam-Webster on vigilant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vigilant

Spanish Central: Translation of vigilant

Nglish: Translation of vigilant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of vigilant for Arabic Speakers

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