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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.

Tank bottoms at Cushing would be a wake-up call that inventories are dangerously low.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

Beijing’s ability to leverage its rare-earth-magnet dominance in trade negotiations was the latest wake-up call, as those inputs are used in everything from weapons systems to electric-vehicle motors.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

"That feeling of being last is horrible, and I think it was like a wake-up call."

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Still, it could be a wake-up call for voters to scrutinize politicians a bit more before casting their ballots, he added.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 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

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