Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective wide-awake contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wide-awake are alert, vigilant, and watchful. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

Where would alert be a reasonable alternative to wide-awake?

Although the words alert and wide-awake have much in common, alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

When could vigilant be used to replace wide-awake?

The synonyms vigilant and wide-awake are sometimes interchangeable, but vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

In what contexts can watchful take the place of wide-awake?

While in some cases nearly identical to wide-awake, watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

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 wide-awake Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, and Sebastian Stan films hit Sundance 2024: See the full lineup MIDNIGHT From horror flicks and wild comedies to chilling thrillers and works that defy any genre, these films will keep you wide-awake and on the edge of your seat. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024 For wide-awake eyes, Mrs. Bieber swipes on Kosas’ Revealer Concealer, which is another multipurpose product. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 20 Sep. 2024 Forgotten that prayer is a kind of wide-awake drift toward God. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 Blackout shades and curtains are a dream for light sleepers and for parents who want wide-awake children to nod off at nap time. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 27 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide-awake
Adjective
  • What to Serve with Chicken Wings Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 3 1/2 lb.
    Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2025
  • The headband emits acoustic simulation that responds to the user’s brainwaves to induce sleep by suppressing alpha waves, which occur when the brain is in a relaxed state but still awake.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Local officials have urged residents to stay alert and prepare for potential emergency actions if water levels rise rapidly.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The city of Los Angeles and the Sheriff’s Department also have alert systems.
    Christopher L. Keller, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Lauren Goode: Who among us doesn't want to have a nap gently guided by our wakeful rhythm?
    Lauren Goode, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Low to medium doses show a reduction in the alpha frequency of brain waves (which correspond to relaxed and wakeful states), along with rising entropy, a signature finding of sober brains sinking deeper into a trip.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Authorities and consumer advocates are urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid clicking suspicious links in such messages.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Andover athletic director Wayne Puglisi and his fellow committee members remain vigilant in their approach.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Cotton farming is a labor-intensive process, requiring workers to toil in the scorching sun for up to 10 hours a day under the watchful eyes of field supervisors.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2025
  • His subjects are usually men, but under the watchful eye of Ian, they are shown embodying both their masculine and feminine auras.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near wide-awake

Cite this Entry

“Wide-awake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide-awake. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wide-awake

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