wake-up call

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

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-up call The persistence of that finding should be a wake-up call for employers already battling high turnover and labor shortages. Wire Services, Dallas News, 22 Mar. 2023 Those efforts show the pandemic has been a wake-up call, Horowitz said. Rachel Scott, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2023 Texas is on an entirely different level than those teams and had a bit of a wake-up call against Penn State. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2023 Most important, the Fed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) got a wake-up call that their oversight of middle-size banks has been dangerously lax. Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for wake-up call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wake-up call
Noun
  • What actions are necessary during a red flag warning?
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • That is why Trump must take the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact not as a rejection, but as a warning shot.
    Firas Maksad, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Pulock’s regression is the bigger red flag.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Doesn't feel true, that's a red flag.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One witness said they were stopped at a red light heading south on Dale Street and that Burks was walking north against the traffic light, according to the criminal complaint.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Hooga is figured out how to offer a leading red light therapy product that’s practical, affordable, and of the highest quality.
    Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The divorce will be finalized once the judge gives a sign-off.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • That is now down to 3%, according to JLL, a clear sign of stabilization.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025

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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 29 Sep. 2025.

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