What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overwary
Example
She was overwary of strangers and rarely trusted anyone she didn't know. [overwary: adjective]
Example
His overwary approach to investing meant he missed out on many opportunities for growth. [overwary: noun]
hypervigilant
Example
After the accident, she became hypervigilant while driving and was always on high alert for potential hazards. [hypervigilant: adjective]
Example
His hypervigilance made it difficult for him to relax and enjoy social situations without feeling constantly on guard. [hypervigilant: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwary is a more common word in everyday language, while hypervigilant is more commonly used in psychology or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overwary and hypervigilant?
Both overwary and hypervigilant are relatively formal words, but overwary may be slightly less formal due to its more common usage in everyday language.
