wake-up call

Definition of wake-up callnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rising autism numbers presented by our CDC should be a wake-up call — there are a lot of us, and what’s truly increasing is the cost of ignoring our needs. — John Elder Robison, STAT, 23 Mar. 2023 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 See All Example Sentences for wake-up call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wake-up call
Noun
  • Less than an hour after the first warning that a wildfire was headed for her suburban street, Boulder County resident Tawnya Somauroo's home was in ashes.
    — LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Crash reported on eastbound I-70 A traffic warning has been issued after a crash on I-70 between U P RR Service Road/Exit 421 and I-670/I-70.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In either case, there’s a period of normalcy, followed by red flags and denial after which all hell clearly breaks loose.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Extreme stress, impatience, or intoxication are major red flags that can lead to negative experiences or removal from flights.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Russia invaded its neighbor more than 4 ½ years ago, and there are no concrete signs that a peace settlement might be possible.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Those addresses can help with account sign-ups and management.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

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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 4 Oct. 2026.

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