to watch over

Examples

• All

• As a camp counselor, my job is to watch over the children to ensure they are safe during the activities.

• I told you to watch over the girl!

  The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

• They, they can do things very, very wrong and, and you need to, to watch over them all the time.

• It's been my honor to watch over you.

  Reign of Chaos (2022)

• There were people who were watching over Lisa every single day.

• One of my duties as a volunteer was to watch over the distribution of food.

  Academic text (2009)

• Chaperones used not only to watch over their charges but also to pay their way.

  Academic text (1995)

• Tanzanians keep dogs as security guards to watch over domestic livestock and to serve as family companions.

  Academic text (2009)

• The parents decided to watch over their toddler while he played in the backyard.

• The lifeguard is trained to watch over swimmers and respond quickly in case of an emergency.

Synonyms

W

to watch

vsto watch over

∞ 1.0

To look at something carefully for some time

adds the idea of supervising or ensuring safety rather than mere observation

L

to look after

vsto watch over

472 1.1

Take care of someone or something to keep them safe and working

includes supervision but is more about general care than mere observing

G

to guard

vsto watch over

418 1.0

To watch and protect a person or place from harm

includes broader supervision beyond only physical protection

K

to keep an eye on

vsto watch over

• Informal

408 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

has official responsibility to supervise rather than just observe

L

to look out for

vsto watch over

291 3.0

Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone

is more about formal responsibility rather than casual alertness

O

to oversee

vsto watch over

221 3.9

To watch and direct other people's work

is more managerial and task focused than general protective care

S

to supervise

vsto watch over

189 3.5

Watch and guide people doing tasks to keep the work correct and safe

is less formal and implies personal care rather than managing tasks

K

to keep watch

vsto watch over

30 3.1

To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble

focuses more on responsible care rather than only observation duties

S

to stand guard

vsto watch over

27 3.2

To stay in one place and watch to protect someone or something

is broader and covers ongoing care rather than only staying in one place

S

to stand watch

vsto watch over

• Jargon

10 3.4

To stay awake and guard people or a place

is less restricted and applies to general supervision beyond duty shifts

K

to keep a close watch

vsto watch over

8 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

is less intense and implies personal care rather than constant checking

K

to keep guard

vsto watch over

2 3.1

To stay and watch to protect people or a place

is wider meaning ongoing care rather than only defensive duty

S

to stand sentinel

vsto watch over

• Literature

1 7.0

To watch and guard a place or person

is more general covering ordinary care rather than formal posted duty

Antonyms

A

to abandon

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

N

to neglect

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Supervised

to monitor

627 3.5

to supervise

189 3.5

to watch over

145 2.3

to look after

472 1.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology