1
as in awakens
to cause to stop sleeping
my banging around in the kitchen woke my wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awakes
to cease to be asleep
I woke with a start when the door slammed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in warns
to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk
a public service announcement designed to wake people to the dangers of aggressive driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 wakes
It's been a while since any boat wakes disturbed the water.
—
John Ramos, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Maybe this will be the thing that finally wakes them up.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
All this within a year unless KC wakes the hell up.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Plus, it’s also made with caffeine, rosewater, and blueberry for a cooling feeling that instantly wakes me up.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
The novel, which was crowned champ of the spring 2024 Jimmy Fallon Book Club, follows Lee, a mother who, during a relentless winter storm, wakes to an intruder in her home.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
The discomfort also wakes me at night.
—Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
While Lucy wakes to find her father, Hank, over her with a sinisterly warm smile.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
McLaughlin was already known for rolling up his sleeves and breaking a sweat before the sun wakes.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
John Ramos, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Maybe this will be the thing that finally wakes them up.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
All this within a year unless KC wakes the hell up.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Plus, it’s also made with caffeine, rosewater, and blueberry for a cooling feeling that instantly wakes me up.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
The novel, which was crowned champ of the spring 2024 Jimmy Fallon Book Club, follows Lee, a mother who, during a relentless winter storm, wakes to an intruder in her home.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
The discomfort also wakes me at night.
—Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
While Lucy wakes to find her father, Hank, over her with a sinisterly warm smile.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
McLaughlin was already known for rolling up his sleeves and breaking a sweat before the sun wakes.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wakes
Verb
-
This awakens pleasure, chemistry and playful desire, which is kinda ideal for falling in love.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Espresso becomes a lightning rod that awakens chocolate.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ashur awakes in this alternative timeline, but not all is blissful.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
-
When Fuller awakes several hours later, her head has been shaved, she’s covered in antihistamine cream, and she’s tied up in a basement.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While Duque wants thrifters to understand that price doesn't equal value, Rodriguez warns shoppers not to be distracted by appearance.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Ackerly warns that centralized control has a long and troubling history.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No, Kravitz is an artist who builds from the essence of his music, true rock ‘n’ roll, creating a live show that doesn’t push boundaries but rouses the audience and satisfies our yearning for a real rock star.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Where temperatures are lowest and wintry precipitation is likely, the National Weather Service has issued numerous cold and winter weather alerts across the Southeastern United States.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
-
More than 130 million people are under cold and winter storm alerts over the weekend, Brandon Buckingham, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said in a statement.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wakes. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
