wakeful

adjective

wake·ful ˈwāk-fəl

Synonyms of wakeful next

: not sleeping or able to sleep : sleepless

wakefully

ˈwāk-fə-lē

adverb

wakefulness noun

Example Sentences

the mother remained wakeful until her child returned home

Recent Examples on the Web In fact, in nocturnal animals, the natural chemical is active and associated with wakeful states rather than sleep. —

Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2023 But instead of triggering drowsiness, caffeine blocks adenosine from binding and leaves the cells in a more active and wakeful state. —

Kareem Clark, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2022 However, Mednick points out that for some people, embracing a middle-of-the-night wakeful period can dial down stress. —

Marisa Cohen, Good Housekeeping, 2 Oct. 2022 Just below the surface of wakeful awareness, just a minute or two under it, everything is change. —

Michael W. Clune, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Mar. 2022 Smith found that when people first began to experience tingles, there was a sudden surge in alpha waves, which indicate a state of wakeful rest. —

Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 2 Feb. 2022 Taking time to space out—whether by showering, pulling weeds, or petting a dog—provides an opportunity for what psychologists call wakeful rest. —

Eleanor Cummins, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2021 And evening types rise as late as possible and remain wakeful well past dark. —

Gretchen Reynolds, Star Tribune, 20 Aug. 2020 Five primate electrophysiologists agreed that, upon 50 Hz stimulation of the central lateral thalamus, anesthetized Wisconsin monkeys become wakeful. —

Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wakeful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.