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
For women, the hot flashes, night sweats, and anxiety that accompany the menopausal transition amplify nighttime awakenings.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
January delivers a powerful awakening for you, as the Judgment card brings clarity about what (and who) can no longer come with you into the next chapter of your life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Released only a few months before the activist’s death at the age of 95 in December of 2013, Mandela is a comprehensive remembering of his story, starting with his political awakening and incarceration, and ending with his rise to power as South Africa’s president in a postapartheid world.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Then, Neptune enters Aries on January 26th, beginning a long-term chapter of creative and romantic awakening.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awakening
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Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
January delivers a powerful awakening for you, as the Judgment card brings clarity about what (and who) can no longer come with you into the next chapter of your life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Released only a few months before the activist’s death at the age of 95 in December of 2013, Mandela is a comprehensive remembering of his story, starting with his political awakening and incarceration, and ending with his rise to power as South Africa’s president in a postapartheid world.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Then, Neptune enters Aries on January 26th, beginning a long-term chapter of creative and romantic awakening.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 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 6 Jan. 2026.
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