rude awakening
noun
: surprising and unpleasant discovery that one is mistaken
He thinks he can get by without doing any work, but he is in for a rude awakening.
Examples of rude awakening in a Sentence
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The residents of a home in southeast Denver had a rude awakening Sunday morning when a car crashed through their fireplace.
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Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Cold front to bring ‘rude awakening’ Temperatures are then expected to tumble as a cold front moves through the area late Saturday and overnight.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
Today’s Gemini full moon delivers an attitude adjustment – or a rude awakening!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Abdul Carter received a rude awakening Sunday when the New York Giants sidelined him for their first defensive series against the Green Bay Packers.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rude awakening
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Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Cold front to bring ‘rude awakening’ Temperatures are then expected to tumble as a cold front moves through the area late Saturday and overnight.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
Today’s Gemini full moon delivers an attitude adjustment – or a rude awakening!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Abdul Carter received a rude awakening Sunday when the New York Giants sidelined him for their first defensive series against the Green Bay Packers.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rude awakening
Cite this Entry
“Rude awakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rude%20awakening. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
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