View synonyms for

awakening

[ uh-wey-kuh-ning ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

rousing; quickening:
an awakening interest in ballet.

noun

the act of awaking from sleep.
a revival of interest or attention.
a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something:
a rude awakening to the disagreeable facts.
a renewal of interest in religion, especially in a community; a revival.

awakening

/ əˈweɪkənɪŋ; əˈweɪknɪŋ /

noun

the start of a feeling or awareness in a person
a picture of an emotional awakening

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Other Word Forms

��·�ɲ��Ĳ�·��Բ�·�� adverb
��a·�ɲ��Ĳ�·��Բ� noun
�ܲ�a·�ɲ��Ĳ�·��Բ� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of awakening¹

First recorded in 1585–95; awaken + -ing ², -ing ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“For a kid who thought he was this tough street-smart kid from D.C., I was in for a very rude awakening,” he said.

From

This is too much of a generalization, but it’s an irresistible one: We are seeing a truly extraordinary transformation, something like the awakening of the mainstream conservatives alongside the continuing surrender of the mainstream liberals.

From

Consider the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, far and away the largest wave of public demonstrations in American history, representing a mass awakening to historic, systemic injustice and a desire to redress it.

From

Still, Handler is no nun, and she’s had another sexual awakening in later life.

From

If there was hope, and belief, that this type of performance was maybe behind them, then this was the rudest of rude awakenings.

From

awaken award

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