Phrase guide

watchful waiting

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before medical intervention or therapy is used; during this time, repeated testing may be performed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: medicine, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: watch and wait

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.