1
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
hunting for a first apartment in a big city is an eye-opening experience for young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
causing wonder or astonishment
that acclaimed magic act had a number of eye-opening moments
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of eye-opening
The bodycam video was an eye-opening look at the frightening aftermath of the Brown campus shooting when police were searching room-by-room for the suspect, trying to comfort and care for terrified students, and trying to coordinate with campus police to get past locked doors.
—
Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Marino’s thoughts on Tagovailoa, however, were particularly eye-opening.
—Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Their film was more eye-opening than the raw numbers.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
How antioxidants affect menopause A recent study published in Scientific Reports takes a closer look at how antioxidants may influence the timing of menopause, and the findings are eye-opening.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 19 Jan. 2026
Uncovering Najash’s place in the snake family tree has been eye-opening.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Our visit to Montevago, with communication courtesy of Google Translate, was eye-opening.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Wathen said the experience is not only eye-opening for volunteers but also part of the church’s mission.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Dec. 2025
From Felipe Torres Medina, a staff writer on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, comes this educational and eye-opening look at the quagmire of the immigration system.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Marino’s thoughts on Tagovailoa, however, were particularly eye-opening.
—Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Their film was more eye-opening than the raw numbers.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
How antioxidants affect menopause A recent study published in Scientific Reports takes a closer look at how antioxidants may influence the timing of menopause, and the findings are eye-opening.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 19 Jan. 2026
Uncovering Najash’s place in the snake family tree has been eye-opening.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Our visit to Montevago, with communication courtesy of Google Translate, was eye-opening.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Wathen said the experience is not only eye-opening for volunteers but also part of the church’s mission.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Dec. 2025
From Felipe Torres Medina, a staff writer on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, comes this educational and eye-opening look at the quagmire of the immigration system.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opening
Adjective
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There is one surprising tool that can avoid all the sneezing and cleanup that this job usually entails.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The style of proof that the LLMs came up with was particularly surprising, Abouzaid says.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Playing a thinly disguised version of himself, Reynolds is, as Schneeberger and Neibaur point out, funny, exasperating, and moving, and Rifkin’s impeccable tailoring of the role to fit his star gives Reynolds a wonderful summation with which to end his career.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Welcome to the wonderful world of better coffee.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Each year, startling rises in defense spending seem nearer, but do not bring change.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Nevils shares startling data to support these expert testimonies.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One amazing season gets him almost 40% of the vote.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Duffers, our wonderful, amazing creators, wanted to leave everybody with this level of optimism that the show has always given everyone.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Viewers barely have time to register what’s in front of them before there’s another shocking accusation, revelation, or character detail.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With the Games heading to France in 2030, there is work underway to include this astonishing sport into the schedule, but Billy says the speed skiing community is also content with its current position.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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To belittle the journalist asking about these claims in such sexist terms is astonishing.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hašek led the Czechs on a stunning run to a gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Save 47 percent on a stunning coffee table book that adds color and doubles as an instant conversation starter.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Barring a miraculous post-All-Star break turnaround, Milwaukee appears unlikely to reach the postseason.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Junior’s miraculous shot saved his own life.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eye-opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opening. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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