hypervigilant

[ hahy-per-vij-uh-luhnt ]

adjective

1. especially wary or alert:

   All high school and college coaches need to be hypervigilant about suspected brain injuries.

2. overly sensitive and reactive to stimuli:

   PTSD sufferers may experience nightmares and heightened anxiety, and they may be hypervigilant and develop an increased startle response.

Other Words From

• hy·per·vig·i·lant·ly adverb
• hy·per·vig·i·lant·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypervigilant¹

hyper- ( def ) + vigilant ( def )

Example Sentences

He accused attorneys for the city of minimizing the threat that such officers face while dealing with suspects who have a propensity for violence and are hypervigilant about the presence of law enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Therefore, I am hypervigilant and try to reduce my e-footprint, but not immune.

From Seattle Times

The list of activities that could get millions of Americans arrested by a hypervigilant enforcer of the statute is mind-blowing.

From Slate

Smith described Crumbley as a “hypervigilant” mom despite evidence presented at trial to the contrary.

From Seattle Times

But the defense lawyer, Shannon Smith, depicted Ms. Crumbley as a “hypervigilant mother” who was attentive to her son’s needs and could not have foreseen what would happen.

From New York Times