as in insomnia
the inability to obtain adequate sleep
a nagging wakefulness that seemed resistant to all of the standard home remedies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 wakefulness
Green tea contains caffeine, which can promote wakefulness and alertness.
—
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
This midday slump is a natural dip in wakefulness your body experiences in the mid-afternoon.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 6 Jan. 2026
These drugs don't actually provide laser-sharp focus but may instead boost wakefulness and engagement, helping the brain stay with tasks rather than hold attention.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
More to the point, the old idea that serotonin is a simple, sleep-promoting signal in the brain is fully out of fashion; later research found that serotonin may also be a potent source of wakefulness, and that its function in the sleep-wake cycle is both complicated and diverse.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
Some researchers are using this state between sleep and wakefulness to study the nature of consciousness itself.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
On average, kids were awake for 38 minutes per night, while parents estimated fewer than five minutes of wakefulness.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Sleepwalking explores the narrow yet profound space between the vigilant awareness of wakefulness and the surrender to the unknown feelings and sensations of sleep.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
The programme has also been designed to educate guests on how to achieve good sleep when back at home and how factors, such as nutrition, gut health, stress and water retention, are all interconnected and play a part with insomnia and wakefulness.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
This midday slump is a natural dip in wakefulness your body experiences in the mid-afternoon.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 6 Jan. 2026
These drugs don't actually provide laser-sharp focus but may instead boost wakefulness and engagement, helping the brain stay with tasks rather than hold attention.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
More to the point, the old idea that serotonin is a simple, sleep-promoting signal in the brain is fully out of fashion; later research found that serotonin may also be a potent source of wakefulness, and that its function in the sleep-wake cycle is both complicated and diverse.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
Some researchers are using this state between sleep and wakefulness to study the nature of consciousness itself.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
On average, kids were awake for 38 minutes per night, while parents estimated fewer than five minutes of wakefulness.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Sleepwalking explores the narrow yet profound space between the vigilant awareness of wakefulness and the surrender to the unknown feelings and sensations of sleep.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
The programme has also been designed to educate guests on how to achieve good sleep when back at home and how factors, such as nutrition, gut health, stress and water retention, are all interconnected and play a part with insomnia and wakefulness.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wakefulness
Noun
-
Stopping can lead to irritability, insomnia, anxiety and mood changes, according to Gamberg.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Taking the supplement every night is generally considered safe and is unlikely to cause dependency or rebound insomnia, said John Rinker, MD, an internal medicine physician at OSF HealthCare.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even in his stillest moments, Reilly hums with the restlessness of a jazz explorer.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
-
And that signal often shows up as restlessness or longing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.—
Ingrid Wickelgren,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Caffeine Caffeine can increase energy and alertness and is found in energy drinks and certain dietary supplements, such as those that keep you alert and from falling asleep.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wakefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wakefulness. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
