Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a watchful manner: vigilantly; heedfully; with careful observation of the approach of evil, or with attention to duty.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a watchful manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a watchful manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

watchful +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • Allow your eyes to look "watchfully" and "critically" at people who underestimate you.

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  • At times, they moved in amiable opposition, one pausing watchfully while the other spiraled to higher altitudes.

    Arachne Aerial Arts combines dance with aerial acrobatics Christian Pelusi 2010

  • Snake held out her hand and the child shook it watchfully.

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  • Ross Shanklin scrambled to his feet and stood watchfully and awkwardly.

    THE HOBO AND THE FAIRY 2010

  • Snake held out her hand and the child shook it watchfully.

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  • England and France crouched watchfully over their bones, growling and wary, but gnawing industriously, while the blood of the dark world whetted their greedy appetites.

    DARKWATER W.E.B. DU BOIS 2004

  • Though he stood watchfully below, most fully prepared to catch this particular female without fail should she slip, there was little danger of that: fueled no doubt by anger at him, she scaled the wall with ease, and without mishap.

    Shameless KAREN ROBARDS 2010

  • Though he stood watchfully below, most fully prepared to catch this particular female without fail should she slip, there was little danger of that: fueled no doubt by anger at him, she scaled the wall with ease, and without mishap.

    Shameless KAREN ROBARDS 2010

  • The U.S. should spend more money on NASA and Space Research in order to maintain our science and engineering expertise and to enjoy more of the spin-off benefits and we should be spending the money more prudently and watchfully as Dr. Stern suggests.

    MSL Cost Overruns: More Smoke and Mirrors from NASA - NASA Watch 2008

  • Within minutes of setting up camp in the folds of East Sussex by woods that were a purple carpet of bluebells in spring, a green woodpecker dipped across the field, a pair of buzzards soared on a thermal and a hobby watchfully flew overhead.

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