Crossword Genius

A backwater that's far from sleepy? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

awake

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'far from sleepy?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'a backwater' is the wordplay.
'backwater' becomes 'wake' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'wake'='AWAKE'

'that's' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for awake that I've seen before include "Make active again" , "Alive and alert" , "Conscious and (usually) open-eyed" , "On the ball?" , "Unable to sleep" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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