awaken

[uh-wey-kuhn]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to awake; waken.

Other Word Forms

• awakenable adjective
• awakener noun
• reawaken verb
• well-awakened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of awaken¹

before 900; Middle English awak ( e ) nen, Old English awæcnian earlier onwæcnian. See a- ¹, waken

Example Sentences

Most of all, though, he sees the protest wave as "an awakening" of Italy's left-wing forces.

From BBC

"You have no idea the dragon you have awakened," he said.

From BBC

Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna said that “there would be no Congressman Luna without Charlie Kirk,” urging the audience to “awaken a generation and save a nation.”

From Salon

He wanted to believe this was just a nightmare from which he would soon awaken.

From Los Angeles Times

After feeding for about seven days, a maggot will fall to the ground, dig into the soil and then awaken as an adult fly.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arouse 
• awake 
• excite 
• provoke 
• revive 
• rouse 
• wake