hypervigilantadj.
/ˌhʌɪpəˈvɪdʒᵻlənt/, /ˌhʌɪpəˈvɪdʒᵻln̩t/, /ˌhʌɪpəˈvɪdʒl̩(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˌhaɪpərˈvɪdʒələnt/ Extremely or excessively vigilant; spec.: acutely or overly aware of one's environment and the potential dangers it presents. Cf. hypervigilance n.In the specific sense frequently with reference to certain conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or various anxiety disorders.
ΚΠ
1905 World's Work & Play July 161/2 The lights might be even more powerful were it not that half the glass is frosted, as a hypervigilant County Council thinks the glare would otherwise be too strong.
1912 Psychol. Bull. 9 325 The third group was characterized by selective hyperprosexia..and the fourth by hypervigilant reaction, with contamination and dissociation (four cases of dementia paralytica).
2004 Parents Feb. 135/1 If a child becomes hypervigilant and seems constantly worried about danger, he could need help from a mental health professional.
2011 B. O'Hanlon Quick Steps to resolving Trauma Introd. 5 People might avoid things that remind them of..the trauma. They often become hypervigilant (continuously scanning their environment for potential threats).
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1905