wake-up call

Definition of wake-up callnext
as in warning
something that tells of approaching danger or risk his high blood pressure was a wake-up call that he needed to do something about his health

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wake-up call
Noun
  • Topical hormone treatments like vaginal estrogen, from which the FDA recently removed a warning label, are becoming commonplace.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • This will be elevated to an extreme heat warning by Monday or Tuesday, and cooling centers will be opened.
    Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • This was the white, blue, and red flag adopted by Tsar Peter the Great and used by Russia today.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026
  • The nine-car incident caused a nine-minute red flag for wall repairs.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • The housing bill, formally called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, can still become law if Trump neither signs it nor vetoes it in 10 days, excluding Sundays.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • There are signs all around Preston Hollow opposing the project.
    J.D. Miles, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Wake-up call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wake-up%20call. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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