1
as in awaking
to cause to stop sleeping
my banging around in the kitchen woke my wife
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wakening
to cease to be asleep
I woke with a start when the door slammed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in alerting
to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk
a public service announcement designed to wake people to the dangers of aggressive driving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in awakening
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waking
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2020
Since becoming director of Dallas Animal Services in October 2017, Ed Jamison has spent every waking moment trying to get potential adopters and fosters into the shelter.
—Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020
Emy Lacroix, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Drown is now striving to be able to flip sleeping clients without waking them up.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for waking
Verb
When nightmare scenarios move to the waking world, stark fictions and knotty personal histories offer guidance less in the factual specifics than in their emotional terrain.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2020
Since becoming director of Dallas Animal Services in October 2017, Ed Jamison has spent every waking moment trying to get potential adopters and fosters into the shelter.
—Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020
Adjective
While the relationship didn't become romantic until later on, Umansky and Zingerman spent nearly every waking moment together in high school.
—Emy Lacroix, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Drown is now striving to be able to flip sleeping clients without waking them up.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for waking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waking
Verb
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There has been a hunt for retribution in the aftermath of Kirk's killing, with conservatives highlighting individuals who have celebrated his death and alerting their employers.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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One of us – Micki Olson – worked with the federal government to develop the Message Design Dashboard to help alerting authorities craft clear and comprehensive emergency messages.—
Micki Olson,
The Conversation,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Down 7-6, FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III hit Jalen Rogers for a 26-yard grab, awakening the once silent Rattler crowd.—
Jayden Gonzalez,
Miami Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
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Last week’s awakening Aquarius Full Moon likely exposed broken systems and illuminated long-standing imbalances.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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International powers have repeatedly called for Machar’s release, warning his detention could tip the country back into civil war.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
And all this just after warning about deploying NATO troops on the ground.—
Joshua Sammons,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Night approaches morning, whispering a rousing greeting.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
With a rousing success under its belt from its last test flight, SpaceX is now preparing for the next launch of its giant Starship rocket.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Adding oils or a warm soak can increase sensitivity and make the experience both soothing and arousing.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
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Squeezing lube out of a bottle until the cold goop squirts out isn't the most arousing act.—
Brenda Stolyar,
WIRED,
4 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Our conversations were always insightful and engaging, a truly stimulating exchange of ideas.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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Whatever happens will be a stimulating alternative that will likely appeal to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waking. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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