mindmap root((警觉)) watchful is the least explicit term: played under the ~ eyes of their mothers. vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness: ~ taxpayers forestalled all attempts to raise taxes. wide-awake stresses keen awareness of and watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than for dangers: ~ observers will recall other summit meetings. alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting a problem or a danger or in seizing an opportunity: ~ traders anticipated the stock market's slide.