awakening

[uh-wey-kuh-ning]

adjective

1. rousing; quickening.

   an awakening interest in ballet.

noun

1. the act of awaking from sleep.

2. a revival of interest or attention.

3. a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something.

   a rude awakening to the disagreeable facts.

4. a renewal of interest in religion, especially in a community; a revival.

awakening

/ əˈweɪkənɪŋ, əˈweɪknɪŋ /

noun

1. the start of a feeling or awareness in a person

   a picture of an emotional awakening

Other Word Forms

• awakeningly adverb
• reawakening noun
• unawakening adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of awakening¹

First recorded in 1585–95; awaken + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

As the Nunalik’s lost weekend suggests, the West is only awakening to the challenge.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Also, keep in mind that if your travel plans include national parks or other federally operated sites, you might be in for a rude awakening.

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Because of this, Sam’s gay awakening story, set against the Nazis and Holocaust, never comes into emotional focus and just makes the show feel longer.

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A press release describes the new record as a “powerful journey of resilience and awakening, where the pursuit of freedom meets forces that seek to control and silence.”

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on BBC