Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

wake-up call

NOUN
cautionary tale
Synonyms
WEAK
a few words of wisdom admonition advisory caution light caveat deterrent example enough said event illustrating a hazard forewarning hint lesson message moral omen portent red flag sign of things to come warning word to the wise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I think that experience really was a wake-up call to me,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

But other countries see the war as a wake-up call.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

While a variety of factors drove China to invest in research, the Covid pandemic was a wake-up call that accelerated these efforts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Watching him lose his mind so early was a wake-up call.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Some days he even just stays in the living room after wake-up call.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña