as in awake
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
an open-eyed deer cautiously grazed in the backyard
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Recent Examples of open-eyed
An open-eyed believer in a future of sunlight, even with storm clouds and meteors on the horizon.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Additionally, Swift’s collaboration on Tortured Poets with the British singer Florence Welch who has reimagined herself as Beata Beatrix (Blessed Beatrice) and an open-eyed and self-aware Ophelia for her own album art, reminds us Swift has been moving in Siddall’s orbit for some time.
—Emily J. Orlando
october 1, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2025
Her debut full-length, al romper la burbuja, features 14 songs that speak to the daily angst of a 21-year-old navigating the world with open-eyed curiosity.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 18 July 2025
Without their glowing, open-eyed performances, often shown in extremely tight close-ups, the film might have floated off like the green fairy from the absinthe bottle.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
There are other open-eyed Republicans on the 2026 ballot including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
For Hazony, the common good can be divined from an open-eyed examination of history and nature.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Additionally, Swift’s collaboration on Tortured Poets with the British singer Florence Welch who has reimagined herself as Beata Beatrix (Blessed Beatrice) and an open-eyed and self-aware Ophelia for her own album art, reminds us Swift has been moving in Siddall’s orbit for some time.
—Emily J. Orlando
october 1, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2025
Her debut full-length, al romper la burbuja, features 14 songs that speak to the daily angst of a 21-year-old navigating the world with open-eyed curiosity.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 18 July 2025
Without their glowing, open-eyed performances, often shown in extremely tight close-ups, the film might have floated off like the green fairy from the absinthe bottle.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
There are other open-eyed Republicans on the 2026 ballot including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
For Hazony, the common good can be divined from an open-eyed examination of history and nature.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-eyed
Adjective
-
Six contestants will be forced to stay awake for 48 hours while enduring intense and nonstop challenges.—
Scott Huver,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
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This simple step can make the eye area appear more awake and refreshed in minutes.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to stay alert and have a safe place as well as a plan in case a severe storm passes through your area.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The airport’s surface detection system, known as ASDE-X, is designed to track aircraft and ground vehicles and alert controllers to potential runway conflicts.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In India, the government is meeting with banks and financial institutions to be extra vigilant.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If you are asked to pay for exposure on a site, stay vigilant.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Today, Tiny is typically displayed on ground level elsewhere in the park during Fright Fest, presumably under the watchful eyes of security cameras.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Jonsson plays Taylor, a watchful, aged-beyond-his-years introvert who has spent 13 years behind bars on a manslaughter charge — missing almost the entire life of his teenage son Adam (Cole Martin), from whom the boy’s mother is determined to keep him estranged.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The slim, precision wand grips even the straightest lashes, creating a wide-awake, lash-lift effect in just one coat.—
Olivia Cefalu,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
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From horror flicks and wild comedies to chilling thrillers and works that defy any genre, these films will keep you wide-awake and on the edge of your seat.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-eyed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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