watchfulness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the book, he writes of "angry crescendos and heavy silences" from his parents' bedroom, which instilled a "constant watchfulness that became instinct before I understood why".

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025

For many of the rest of us—for me—the response to the election seems to be primarily a grim watchfulness, the miserable anticipation of what fresh hell the news is about to bring.

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2025

It’s a delicate double life Jean leads, especially with the recent Clause 28 news spurring a freshly heightened watchfulness for disturbances — gossip, jokes, stares — in the fabric of her daily routine.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2023

At the start of the series, Betsy is hardworking and cleareyed with a face like the moon, pale and luminous, and Dever imbues her with an intelligent watchfulness.

From New York Times • Aug. 16, 2022

Sam, waking suddenly by some instinct of watchfulness, saw first his master’s empty bed and leapt to his feet.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien