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
  • Jonathan O'Neill, an installation engineer from Cookstown, was startled awake by the raging storm and decided to venture outside to secure his garden.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Once the driver was awake, he was identified as 24-year-old Christian Gonzalez, according to state police.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Impostor websites Consumers should always be alert for impostor websites, from fake jewelry sellers to online dating sites.
    Jan Diaz, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Law enforcement veteran issues warning to Americans as Chilean home invasions on rise Michael Barbieri, a law enforcement veteran, says Americans need to stay alert and be prepared as the people breaking into wealthy homes are not 'normal criminals.
    Stepheny Price, Fox News, 5 Feb. 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
  • Monday will start the new week with partly cloudy skies and a high of 58 F, with nighttime temperatures cooling to 43 F. Residents should remain vigilant for weather updates and prepare for possible shifts in conditions as the storm system progresses.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • People of faith and conscience will need to be continually vigilant in this new political environment.
    Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Aid workers and volunteers scrambled to collect dead bodies off the streets under the watchful eye of M23 patrols.
    Monika Pronczuk and Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Antibiotics are still used to treat TB, including isoniazid, the drug that began in a secret trial at Sea View Hospital under the watchful eye of the Black Angels.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wide-awake

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