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
  • Mysterious folders have appeared on PCs along with dire warnings.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Another easy indicator or red flag to watch for is whether the message was part of a group text or sent to other people.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Saturday’s practice session had faced two red flags due to fires near the track.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • State police said the driver later allegedly blew through a red light at the intersection of Kelly Road and Route 83 before continuing north on Route 83, the warrant affidavits said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Bosworth reveals that she's been obsessed with red light therapy and has gotten her husband into the trend.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In addition to taking medical history, your healthcare provider may perform the following exams: Physical exam: The provider will assess your hips, legs, and feet for signs of tightness or injury and measure your legs' range of motion.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The peaceful protesters waved signs targeting Trump and Musk.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 5 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2025.

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