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 warning is in effect until 8 p.m. During heat waves, consider the following tips from the NWS Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The warning is for Greene, Lenoir and Pitt counties.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • If there are enough red flags for ATTR-CM, the provider will likely order additional testing.
    Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Know the red flags: Understand the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Cargill fled, running a red light and traveling through a neighborhood at a high speed, according to the release.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The ultra-portable Red Light Face Wand uses near-infrared and red light LEDs to stimulate collagen, reduce fine lines and improve tone and texture.
    Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The two were not wealthy, but were driving a Hyundai Grandeur, a car that was considered a sign of wealth at the time.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
  • It will be closely monitored for signs that the two leaders could take steps toward a peace deal or ceasefire.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.

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