wake 1 of 2

noun

Definition of wakenext
as in consciousness

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wake

2 of 2

verb

ˈwāk How to pronounce wake (audio)
1
as in to awaken
to cause to stop sleeping my banging around in the kitchen woke my wife

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to awake
to cease to be asleep I woke with a start when the door slammed

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3
as in to warn
to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk a public service announcement designed to wake people to the dangers of aggressive driving

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of wake
Noun
Hydrating, evening out skin tone, and leaving dewiness in its wake, The Mineral Sunscreen is capable of replacing your anti-aging serums and moisturizers — practically unheard of in the industry. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 14 July 2026 The laws come in the wake of nearly three years of wars — from Gaza to Lebanon and Iran — and ahead of the Knesset’s break for the summer recess. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Verb
Many Americans experienced the rise of what became known as woke politics not through government but through companies. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 July 2026 Danaher is a classic compounder waking from a pandemic-era destocking cycle that pressured profits. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wake
  1. consciousness
  2. awaken
  3. awake
  4. warn
  5. wakefulness
  6. rouse
  7. alert
Noun
  • In recent months, the regime has worked to displace Machado from the public consciousness.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • In novels such as Thousand Cranes and The Master of Go, Yasunari Kawabata wedded stream-of-consciousness to classical forms of ritual and performance, modeling rapid Japanese westernization through stories that overlay the ancient and the modern.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of consciousness
Verb
  • And apparently anyone did because later that night I was awakened by hostile yelling from the corridor just outside my room.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Uranus’ connection to Neptune awakens a bold idea within you!
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of awaken
Verb
  • Determined to make the most of our last day, Karissa and I awoke early and split from our friends to take a 30-minute train ride to North Berwick.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • While preparing for a trip, he is rendered unconscious using knockout gas and awakes to find himself inside a perfect recreation of his own home, but this one is located in a mysterious settlement known as The Village.
    — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of awake
Verb
  • Looking ahead Audemard, the retired geologist who warned about a large-scale earthquake for years, said the experts’ recommendations need to be reflected in laws and building codes.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Critics warn that dramatic increases could force small businesses to reduce hiring, automate more jobs, or raise prices.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of warn
Noun
  • But in people with narcolepsy, such boundaries become blurred, allowing elements of sleep to intrude into wakefulness in varying ways.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • The clinical data demonstrated significant improvements in wakefulness and reductions in excessive daytime sleepiness at week eight, outperforming the placebo with a generally favorable safety profile.
    — Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of wakefulness
Verb
  • Daemon gets eight points for giving that rousing speech to his former men.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, Prudhomme helps to paint a tricolore on the start line in Aurillac and delivers a rousing speech.
    — Andy McGrath, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of rouse
Verb
  • Someone in the stadium spotted him, notified MLB, and the league office quickly alerted Anaheim.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • Diaz said the district will pursue an outreach effort to parents to alert them of the change.
    — Austin Horn July 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of alert

Browse Nearby Words

waiving
wake
wakeful
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Cite this Entry

“Wake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wake. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wake

Nglish: Translation of wake for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wake

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