as in insomnia
the inability to obtain adequate sleep
a nagging wakefulness that seemed resistant to all of the standard home remedies
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Recent Examples of wakefulness
Curating your home's color palette can promote wakefulness in some areas and relaxation in others.
—
Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
In 2009, after studying a mother and a daughter who were both short sleepers, Fu published a paper about a variation in a gene called DEC2, which influences the production of orexin, a hormone associated with wakefulness.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Green tea contains caffeine, which can promote wakefulness and alertness.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
This midday slump is a natural dip in wakefulness your body experiences in the mid-afternoon.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 6 Jan. 2026
These drugs don't actually provide laser-sharp focus but may instead boost wakefulness and engagement, helping the brain stay with tasks rather than hold attention.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
More to the point, the old idea that serotonin is a simple, sleep-promoting signal in the brain is fully out of fashion; later research found that serotonin may also be a potent source of wakefulness, and that its function in the sleep-wake cycle is both complicated and diverse.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
For example, one participant reported ants crawling on her back even as the EEG documented the fast and frequent brain waves of wakefulness.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
On average, kids were awake for 38 minutes per night, while parents estimated fewer than five minutes of wakefulness.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
In 2009, after studying a mother and a daughter who were both short sleepers, Fu published a paper about a variation in a gene called DEC2, which influences the production of orexin, a hormone associated with wakefulness.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Green tea contains caffeine, which can promote wakefulness and alertness.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
This midday slump is a natural dip in wakefulness your body experiences in the mid-afternoon.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 6 Jan. 2026
These drugs don't actually provide laser-sharp focus but may instead boost wakefulness and engagement, helping the brain stay with tasks rather than hold attention.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
More to the point, the old idea that serotonin is a simple, sleep-promoting signal in the brain is fully out of fashion; later research found that serotonin may also be a potent source of wakefulness, and that its function in the sleep-wake cycle is both complicated and diverse.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
For example, one participant reported ants crawling on her back even as the EEG documented the fast and frequent brain waves of wakefulness.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
On average, kids were awake for 38 minutes per night, while parents estimated fewer than five minutes of wakefulness.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wakefulness
Noun
-
The discovery that orexin is linked to narcolepsy has sparked new pharmaceutical research, and last year an experimental orexin-blocking medication showed promise for insomnia in a clinical trial.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
There’s also been studies, many of which are smaller and more preliminary, showing the benefits of floating for conditions such as insomnia, body image dissatisfaction among people with anorexia, meth dependence and pain intensity, such as the stress placed on the body after a high-impact workout.—
Shelby Hartman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
You’re now being asked to step up to the plate and own your perspective, philosophies, world view, path to personal growth—all while restlessness and the desire to learn and evolve skyrockets.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Paying close attention to how each pillow affected their sleep, and any improvements in neck pain, restlessness, and temperature regulation, to determine which pillows made the grade as the most luxurious options out there, both in sleep feel and in material makeup.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Enzymes convert cholesterol into cortisol, which is discharged from the outer layer of the adrenal glands, to sharpen alertness.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
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Boost Energy and Alertness Taking a walk in the morning has been associated with lower daytime sleepiness and improved alertness during the day.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wakefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wakefulness. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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