wakeful

adjective

wake·​ful ˈwāk-fəl How to pronounce wakeful (audio)
Synonyms of wakefulnext
: not sleeping or able to sleep : sleepless
wakefully
ˈwāk-fə-lē How to pronounce wakeful (audio)
adverb
wakefulness noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of wakeful in a Sentence

the mother remained wakeful until her child returned home
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wakeful was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

wakeful
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Cite this Entry

“Wakeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wakeful. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

wakeful

adjective
wake·​ful ˈwāk-fəl How to pronounce wakeful (audio)
: not sleeping or able to sleep
wakefully
-fə-lē How to pronounce wakeful (audio)
adverb
wakefulness noun

Medical Definition

wakeful

adjective
wake·​ful ˈwāk-fəl How to pronounce wakeful (audio)
: not sleeping or able to sleep : sleepless
wakefulness noun

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Nglish: Translation of wakeful for Spanish Speakers

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