WAKEFUL Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

wakeful

adjective

ˈwāk-fəl

Definition of wakeful

as in awake

not sleeping or able to sleep the mother remained wakeful until her child returned home

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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 wakeful These ripples are associated with spikes of activity in the prefrontal cortex, and scientists only observe them during periods of sleep or quiet, wakeful rest. — Sean McCabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 In a previous university blog post, Majumdar compared this finding to the brain flushing out byproducts that build up during active, wakeful moments, allowing for a more restful night’s sleep. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026 Low to medium doses show a reduction in the alpha frequency of brain waves (which correspond to relaxed and wakeful states), along with rising entropy, a signature finding of sober brains sinking deeper into a trip. — Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024 Having the right pillow can make a big difference between a peaceful night’s sleep and a restless, wakeful one. — Casey Clark, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024 Even in these moments of wakeful rest, your brain continues to rehearse and replay the past. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 May 2024 That wakeful process is an essential part of creating a permanent memory. — Linda Carroll, NBC News, 29 Mar. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wakeful

awake

Adjective

Just one day earlier, he was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his left calf and ordered by doctors to stay awake overnight, according to NFL insiders, who report the quarterback did not sleep for roughly 36 hours.

— Mark Osborne, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
The exact story of how coffee was discovered isn’t known for sure, but one popular legend says an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi noticed that when his goats ate from a red berry plant, they were infused with energy and stayed awake all night.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of awake

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wake

wakeful

wakefulness

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“Wakeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wakeful. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of wakeful

adjective

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