Meaning & use

vigilant

adjective·Academic

Keeping careful and continuous watch for possible danger or problems.

See it in a sentence

Airport security remained vigilant throughout the busy holiday travel season.

Parents must stay vigilant when young children are playing near water.

A note on using this word

Vigilant implies sustained, active attention, stronger than simply being 'aware' of a situation.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

carelessinattentive

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