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
1
as in guard
a person or group that watches over someone or something
the neighborhood crime watch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025
The beach is not staffed by lifeguards, so adults must be present to watch their young swimmers.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 May 2025
The detailed version shows inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings, because destruction is not limited to the coast.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for watch
Verb
The greatest Royal of ‘em all, George Brett, can’t wait to watch Jac Caglianone’s major-league debut on Tuesday.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025
The beach is not staffed by lifeguards, so adults must be present to watch their young swimmers.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Noun
The guards wrestle him to the ground and In-ho watches.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 May 2025
The detailed version shows inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings, because destruction is not limited to the coast.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for watch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watch
Verb
-
Though devotion plays an important role in how Muslims observe Eid al-Adha, there is also room to come together and have fun.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
But fitting the pattern for Russian attacks throughout the war, Friday's bombardment also struck apartment buildings and other nonmilitary targets, Associated Press reporters observed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
The attacks into Sumy follow a Kremlin directive on May 21 that the military create buffer zones inside northern Ukraine – in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
-
What is this nagging discomfort that's seeming to follow me around?—
Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Scripps scientist Charles David Keeling, Ralph Keeling's father, began monitoring CO2 concentrations there in 1958.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
-
Dilly Dally, like other turtles treated and re-released by the LMC, will be tracked via satellite attached to her shell to chart her movements and monitor her re-acclimation to living in the wild.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The celebrity paradox strikes — we’ve been conditioned to care, but his lack of affect comes off as cold and uncaring.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
-
Serena's future is uncertain, but June forgives her No one much cares what happens to Serena Joy and her son Noah in the brave new world.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Gray supervised a special housing unit at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, prosecutors said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2025
-
There’s similar apprehension about the new Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal that’s meant to supervise judges in office.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Arlington, Texas.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
-
On the night of May 21, three armed security officers stood guard as the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington held its annual meeting in the nation’s capital.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
According to Devlin’s report, Shoemaker-Gonzalez stole the man’s Toyota RAV4 and headed toward Bristol where police were told to be on the lookout around 12:20 p.m. for a vehicle taken during a carjacking involving a suspect armed with a knife.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
21 May 2025
-
At the end, stop with the family to enjoy a lookout point with a beautiful view of San Elijo Lagoon.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
Half a century later, President Donald Trump seems to be eyeing a similar diplomatic maneuver, but in reverse: drawing Russia closer to the United States in order to give Washington an advantage in its geopolitical competition with Communist China.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
-
More recently, speculation has centered on Raquel Regalado eyeing City Hall.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watch. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share