Crossword Genius

Warn head, showing watchfulness (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alertness

'watchfulness' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'warn head' is the wordplay.
'warn' becomes 'alert' (alerting is a kind of warning).
'head' becomes 'ness' (type of geographical point).
'alert'+'ness'='ALERTNESS'

'showing' is the link.

(Other definitions for alertness that I've seen before include "Watchful attitude" , "State of vigilance and watchfulness" , "Showing attentive nature" , "Watchful state" , "It's needed to respond quickly to danger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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