how you might wake up after sleeping funny

The clue “how you might wake up after sleeping funny” is asking for a short descriptive result of an awkward sleep position, and the standard 4‑letter crossword answer is “SORE.”

Why “SORE” fits

• “Sleeping funny” in crossword language usually means you twisted your neck, back, or limb into an odd position.

• Waking up from that kind of position leaves you feeling sore in the neck, shoulder, or back, which neatly matches the clue’s phrasing.

Crossword-specific details

• The referenced clue is listed as a 4‑letter answer in a New York Times Mini crossword entry for January 14, 2026, and “SORE” is given as the correct fill.

• It also fits common crossword patterns where everyday sensations (like stiffness or soreness) are clued with casual phrases such as “after sleeping funny.”

Answer: SORE