awakening

noun

awak·​en·​ing ə-ˈwāk-niŋ How to pronounce awakening (audio)
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.
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
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
3
: a coming into awareness
Like his discovery of literature, this intimacy becomes an awakening to the possibilities of life.Morris Dickstein

Examples of awakening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Something in your current paradigm might suddenly shift mid-month to allow in new kinds of experiences, fresh perspectives, and radical awakenings in your philosophical orientation toward the world. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024 This deeply resonates with Scorpio’s innate desire for profound change and spiritual awakening. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Most of the film’s odes to brotherhood and spiritual awakening are mocking in this way. Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024 In place of the original’s portrait of political awakening, the sequel follows an artist (Milena Smit) who’s checked herself into the Pit as a form of personal atonement. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for awakening 

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of awakening was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near awakening

Cite this Entry

“Awakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awakening. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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