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wake-up call

noun
|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of wake-up call

1 : something (such as a telephone call from a hotel employee to a guest) that serves to wake a sleeper
2 : something that serves to alert a person to a problem, danger, or need
  • a wake-up call to parents

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Recent Examples of wake-up call from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wake-up call.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of wake-up call

1974

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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wake-up call Synonyms

Synonyms

caution, tip-off, tocsin, warning;

Near Antonyms

all clear;

Related Words

omen, portent, premonition, presage;

notice, notification;

buoy, indicator, knell, sign, signal;

foretaste, foretoken;

announcement, declaration;

Phrases

handwriting on the wall;

WAKE-UP CALL Defined for English Language Learners

wake-up call

noun

Definition of wake-up call for English Language Learners

  • : a telephone call that a hotel makes to your room to wake you up

  • : something that makes you fully understand a problem, danger, or need

Learn More about wake-up call

  1. See words that rhyme with wake-up call Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wake-up call Britannica English: Translation of wake-up call for Arabic speakers

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