vigilance
Ever-ready attention state
Vigilance is watchful attention, especially for danger or threats.
A guard maintains vigilance over a building; a doctor exercises vigilance for signs of infection.
The word implies sustained alertness rather than a quick glance: Constant vigilance is the price of liberty.
Vigilance committees were groups of citizens who took law enforcement into their own hands, particularly in the American West.
Careful, sustained attention
- attentivenessConcentrated awareness of surroundings
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- alertnessActive mental awareness
- focusConcentrated attention point
concentration · keenness · sharpness · acuity · perception · mindfulness · heedfulness · observance
Cautious distrust
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
- heedfulnessQuality of being alert
suspicion · distrust · skepticism · guardedness · forethought · deliberation · cautiousness · reserve
Guard who monitors
- watchmanBuilding security guard
- sentryGuard on duty
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
- guardWatchful defensive attention
patrol · night watch · watchtower · checkpoint · perimeter · post · duty · shift
Ongoing observation of something
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- watchingActively looking at something
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
tracking · oversight · patrol · stakeout · wiretapping · eavesdropping · spying · espionage
Preventing harm or loss
- defenseProtection against harm
- securityProtection from threat
- preparednessState of being equipped
- precautionPreventive safety measure
prevention · deterrence · fortification · safety · contingency · readiness · resilience · backup
Resident-led area surveillance
- citizen patrolVolunteer community surveillance group
- community safetyProtection of local residents
- crime preventionStopping offenses before occurrence
- block watchNeighbors guarding their area
watchfulness
Careful, sustained attention
- attentivenessConcentrated awareness of surroundings
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- alertnessActive mental awareness
focus · concentration · keenness · sharpness · acuity · perception · mindfulness · heedfulness · observance · readiness
wariness
Cautious distrust
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
heedfulness · suspicion · distrust · skepticism · guardedness · forethought · deliberation · cautiousness · reserve · scrutiny
sentinel
Guard who monitors
guard · patrol · night watch · watchtower · checkpoint · perimeter · post · duty · shift · rounds
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- watchingActively looking at something
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
reconnaissance · tracking · oversight · patrol · stakeout · wiretapping · eavesdropping · spying · espionage · intelligence
safeguarding
Preventing harm or loss
- defenseProtection against harm
- securityProtection from threat
- preparednessState of being equipped
precaution · prevention · deterrence · fortification · safety · contingency · readiness · resilience · backup · emergency planning
neighborhood watch
Resident-led area surveillance
- citizen patrolVolunteer community surveillance group
- community safetyProtection of local residents
- crime preventionStopping offenses before occurrence
block watch · reporting · tip line · suspicious activity · public safety
- tactical awarenessspatial awareness, observation, focus, perception, foresight
- carechild care, elder care, health care, home care, medical care
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- attentionattention, focus, focused, attentiveness, focused attention
- awarenessalertness, aware, attention, cognizance, conscious
vigilanceinattention
Lack of focus
inattentiveness · obliviousness · unawareness · heedlessness · absentmindedness
vigilancenegligence
Failure to exercise care
carelessness · neglect · complacency · laxity · recklessness
vigilancedrowsiness
State of near-sleep
somnolence · torpor · lethargy · dullness · stupor
- vigilante justiceUnauthorized punishment by civilians
- masked vigilanteConcealed identity crime-fighter
- be vigilantMaintain careful awareness
- vigilante groupUnauthorized civilian law enforcement