WAKE-UP CALL Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

wake-up call

noun

Definition of 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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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

The Archuleta County Sheriff's office in Colorado warned residents to shelter in place Friday morning, and by the evening had issued an evacuation warning.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Conventional early-warning aircraft have space for substantial radar arrays and powerful onboard systems, but their size and cost can limit how many can be deployed.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of warning

Noun

As last week’s red flag warning took effect, the reservoir remained out of service after a series of setbacks during repairs.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The poor decision-making, surprisingly shaky accuracy, inability to elevate a weak supporting cast and difficulty moving through progressions quickly are all serious red flags.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of red flag

Noun

Every year after Halloween, Spirit Halloween’s stores empty out and the signs come down.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
One particularly promising example is an MRI technique that identifies the central vein sign, a feature that can help physicians distinguish lesions associated with MS from abnormalities caused by other conditions.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sign

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wake (up)

wake-up call

wake-up calls

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“Wake-up call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wake-up%20call. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of wake-up call

noun

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