awake 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of awakenext
1
as in wakeful
not sleeping or able to sleep was awake until 3:00 a.m.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity awake to the possibility of trouble at the demonstration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

awake

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈwāk How to pronounce awake (audio)
1
as in to wake
to cause to stop sleeping awoke the boys for breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to awaken
to cease to be asleep at the sound of breaking glass she awoke with a start

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective awake contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awake are alive, aware, cognizant, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

How do alive and sensible relate to one another, in the sense of awake?

Alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something.

alive to the thrill of danger

When is aware a more appropriate choice than awake?

The synonyms aware and awake are sometimes interchangeable, but aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

In what contexts can cognizant take the place of awake?

In some situations, the words cognizant and awake are roughly equivalent. However, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

When would conscious be a good substitute for awake?

Although the words conscious and awake have much in common, conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

When is it sensible to use sensible instead of awake?

While the synonyms sensible and awake are close in meaning, sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities.

sensible of a teacher's influence

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 awake
Adjective
Snow mushroom delivers a big hit of hydration, helping to plump and smooth crepey skin so your eyes look lifted, firmer, and more awake. —Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 July 2025 Emergency medical services kept Holden stable during the ride to the nearby hospital, giving him oxygen while trying to keep him awake. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Verb
Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. —Holly Ramer, Fortune, 15 July 2025 In September 2023, the world awoke to the news that someone had deliberately felled the Sycamore Gap tree with a chainsaw. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for awake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awake
  1. wakeful
  2. alert
  3. wake
  4. awaken
  5. vigilant
  6. watchful
Adjective
  • Tips to Break the Bedtime Screen Habit Dr. Verma, who was not involved in the research, offers the following tips to prevent wakeful effects from smartphones and get better sleep: Avoid screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Lauren Goode: Who among us doesn't want to have a nap gently guided by our wakeful rhythm?
    — Lauren Goode, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of wakeful
Adjective
  • That posting actually references a much older threat, one that was first flagged by the FBI public service announcement, alert number I-091223-PSA, way back in September 2023.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
    — Andrew Ford, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of alert
Verb
  • Nighttime sleep may also be affected; naps that once seemed restorative might now push bedtime later or cause a child to wake earlier than usual.
    — Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Just before sunrise, a small group of newsmen slid into combat fatigues and safari jackets before slipping through the waking city in a convoy of vans and rental cars.
    — Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of wake
Verb
  • Respiratory viral infections awaken metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs.
    — Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
  • Guided by a skilled therapist, gentle reiki taps and healing touch techniques are used to awaken and align your body’s energy centers.
    — Náosha Gregg, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of awaken
Adjective
  • This same accident-prone influence might apply to your pet, so be vigilant.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • Maine State Police are warning the community to stay vigilant but have not divulged the cause of death or any details about the crime scene, leaving Stewart’s family with questions and nearby residents with fears that a killer may be among them.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Definition of vigilant
Adjective
  • Rashford took part in a workout with his new team-mates under Flick’s watchful eye.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 July 2025
  • Passengers can cap off their unforgettable experiences with an Antarctic rite of passage: a polar plunge under the watchful eyes of the Expedition Experts, who will welcome them back onboard the ship with towels, hot drinks, and a spa.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 21 July 2025
Definition of watchful

Browse Nearby Words

awaits
awake
awaken
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Cite this Entry

“Awake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awake. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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