awakening
noun
awak·en·ing
ə-ˈwāk-niŋ 
ə-ˈwā-kə-
plural awakenings
1
: a rousing from sleep
The night terror is an abrupt awakening early in the night, most often within the first hour or two of sleep …—
Franklin Galvin et al.
Franklin Galvin et al.2
a
: a rousing from inactivity or indifference
… one of the primary branches of yoga … prescribes various practices to assist the yogi in the gradual awakening of the heart.—James Bailey
James Bailey
b
: a revival of interest in something (such as religion)
Russian Jews themselves experienced a cultural and political awakening after Israel's victory, some openly challenging their government's ban on religious and Hebrew training.—Jonathan D. Sarna
Jonathan D. Sarna3
: a coming into awareness
Like his discovery of literature, this intimacy becomes an awakening to the possibilities of life.—Morris Dickstein
Morris DicksteinExamples of awakening in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The balance the Eagles struck in their second-half awakening against the Washington Commanders proved efficiency was possible, albeit when afforded a talent margin that will not be so advantageous when the postseason begins.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
The most powerful awakening arrives during the August 28th Partial Lunar Eclipse in Pisces, activating your career sector.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025
The narrative follows Kim Phúc into adulthood—her education, religious awakening, defection to Canada, and, by taking ownership of the photograph in which she was unwillingly portrayed, her eventual emergence as a humanitarian advocate for child victims of conflict.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Bae’s artistic awakening began far from her initial path in finance.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awakening
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Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
The most powerful awakening arrives during the August 28th Partial Lunar Eclipse in Pisces, activating your career sector.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025
The narrative follows Kim Phúc into adulthood—her education, religious awakening, defection to Canada, and, by taking ownership of the photograph in which she was unwillingly portrayed, her eventual emergence as a humanitarian advocate for child victims of conflict.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Bae’s artistic awakening began far from her initial path in finance.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awakening
Cite this Entry
“Awakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awakening. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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