Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective wide-awake contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wide-awake are alert, vigilant, and watchful. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Where would alert be a reasonable alternative to wide-awake?

Although the words alert and wide-awake have much in common, alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

When could vigilant be used to replace wide-awake?

The synonyms vigilant and wide-awake are sometimes interchangeable, but vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

In what contexts can watchful take the place of wide-awake?

While in some cases nearly identical to wide-awake, watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

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 wide-awake Then, the video transitioned to a completely different scene—Cody, wide-awake, barking and howling, pacing around the house, and even chewing household items. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 Swipe it on the inner corners of your eyes for an instant eye-brightening, wide-awake effect. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Feb. 2025 Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, and Sebastian Stan films hit Sundance 2024: See the full lineup MIDNIGHT From horror flicks and wild comedies to chilling thrillers and works that defy any genre, these films will keep you wide-awake and on the edge of your seat. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024 For wide-awake eyes, Mrs. Bieber swipes on Kosas’ Revealer Concealer, which is another multipurpose product. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 20 Sep. 2024 Forgotten that prayer is a kind of wide-awake drift toward God. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 Blackout shades and curtains are a dream for light sleepers and for parents who want wide-awake children to nod off at nap time. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 27 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide-awake
Adjective
  • My wife had been awake for thirty-six hours when our baby was delivered by C-section.
    Danny Lorberbaum June 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
  • As the noise pierced through the house day and night, keeping her children awake, Natalie was concerned about dogs possibly being mistreated nearby.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • There’s nothing wrong with using technology to meet immediate emotional needs, but leaders should stay alert to the longer-term tradeoff.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The advisory ranks Italy at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, which recommends travelers stay alert to possibly heightened risk.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tips to Break the Bedtime Screen Habit Dr. Verma, who was not involved in the research, offers the following tips to prevent wakeful effects from smartphones and get better sleep: Avoid screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Lauren Goode: Who among us doesn't want to have a nap gently guided by our wakeful rhythm?
    Lauren Goode, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ron Martin, the Burleson officer who oversaw the case, urged shoppers to be vigilant when buying gift cards from racks at big box retailers.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Arkansas officials urged residents of the surrounding Izard County to stay vigilant and lock the doors of their homes and vehicles following his escape.
    Jack Moore, ABC News, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Under his watchful eye, the new site will spotlight the finest talents in the region.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
  • Emmanuel-Thomas had got his first call-up to Arsenal’s first-team squad at age 17, and there were almost two years when the teenager trained under manager Arsene Wenger’s watchful eye.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wide-awake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide-awake. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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