Watchfulness (9)

I think it could be either:

vigilance

alertness

'watchfulness' is the definition.
(synonyms)

This is all the clue.

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

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times, The Times and the Sydney Morning Herald.

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