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
  • The warning was issued Thursday at 9:51 p.m., and the latest update about this incident was released on Thursday at 9:58 p.m. Interstate 49 Current Incidents: There are currently no traffic incidents reported in this area.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • Footage labeled as ‘incidental’ — which is how the FWC says its two officers labeled their footage — includes FWC officers issuing warnings or non-criminal infraction citations, the policy says.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • While the Twins would like to demand a large package with how much control Buxton has available, his inability to stay healthy raises some red flags.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Potential buyers could raise red flags about insecure components, open-source vulnerabilities or inadequate standard operating procedures (SOPs).
    Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Witnesses said that Pelkey was at a red light when Horcasitas pulled up behind him in a Volkswagen.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • On the topic of disparities, Barone said over the last 10 years the numbers show when police use the traffic laws to focus on violations that are killing people like speeding, following too closely, running stop signs or red lights there is little disparity in the data.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Auto advertisers are seen having a tough time trying to figure out how to sell both electric and traditional vehicles, and retailers, restauranteurs and others are all waiting for more concrete signs of how the economy will move.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 May 2025
  • Allowing imperfection to show—rather than keeping up appearances—is both a sign of intimacy and a precondition for it.
    Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 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 22 May. 2025.

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