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
  • This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • There weren’t any immediate red flags in the months leading up to the start of school, but on the first day fellow teachers told her about one student’s severe behavioral issues.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In Silverdale, Washington, a BMW owner discovered his dashcam had captured a mechanic doing 113 mph on public roads, blowing through red lights, blasting music and treating the vehicle like his personal race car.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, the surgery involves cutting away thin layers of the skin until there are no signs of cancer.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • There are early signs that Alonso will bring the best out of him.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 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 9 Sep. 2025.

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