diff --git a/docs/config/index.md b/docs/config/index.md
index 0ab8bdef7493..18ebf912a88a 100644
--- a/docs/config/index.md
+++ b/docs/config/index.md
@@ -1003,6 +1003,7 @@ declare module 'vitest' {
 
 - **Type:** `string[]`
 - **Default:** `['**/node_modules/**', '**/dist/**']`
+- **Deprecated** use [`server.watch.ignored`](https://vitejs.dev/config/server-options.html#server-watch)
 
 Glob pattern of file paths to be ignored from triggering watch rerun.
 
diff --git a/packages/vitest/src/types/config.ts b/packages/vitest/src/types/config.ts
index adc7f3c06e2b..ec674dfb3f7a 100644
--- a/packages/vitest/src/types/config.ts
+++ b/packages/vitest/src/types/config.ts
@@ -430,6 +430,7 @@ export interface InlineConfig {
 
   /**
    * Glob pattern of file paths to be ignore from triggering watch rerun
+   * @deprecated Use server.watch.ignored instead
    */
   watchExclude?: string[]