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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.

Isabelle Mateos y Lago, chief economist at BNP, told Barron’s on Wednesday the conflict could serve as another wake-up call for world leaders.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

The lawyer said he hoped the massive verdict would serve as a wake-up call for the department and the city as more lawsuits pile up over less-lethal weapons.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The insurance industry’s big wake-up call on risky assets wasn’t in 2008.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

It is no exaggeration to say that my whole family was about to get a wake-up call from hell.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson