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
From spiritual awakenings to explosive confrontations, Season 12 will go deeper into the lives of these women, sharing their stories, and the delicate balance between loyalty and self-preservation.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025
This transit may inspire bold new movements and an awakening of collective consciousness around justice and autonomy.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Longer lasting formulations can actually help reduce awakenings in the night.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
The bonds of mutual political awakening—the sort of togetherness that was once routine, if uneasy, for Firestone—are completely effaced.
—Audrey Wollen, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awakening
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Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025
This transit may inspire bold new movements and an awakening of collective consciousness around justice and autonomy.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Longer lasting formulations can actually help reduce awakenings in the night.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
The bonds of mutual political awakening—the sort of togetherness that was once routine, if uneasy, for Firestone—are completely effaced.
—Audrey Wollen, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 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 23 Apr. 2025.
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