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Synonyms

eye-opener

British  

noun

  1. something startling or revealing

  2. an alcoholic drink taken early in the morning

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"That Paris 2024 Olympics exit was disappointing but it was an eye-opener," says Lamboria.

From BBC Jul. 26, 2026

But the even bigger eye-opener was that the segment’s profitability is increasing, even as it quickly scales.

From Barron's May 1, 2026

“When those guys initially slided, it was an eye-opener for the rest of the world, that a Caribbean nation could actually compete. They inspired us.”

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 14, 2026

Kirby said her illness was a "real eye-opener" and gave her a new appreciation for life's simple moments as she got better.

From BBC Oct. 12, 2025

“I read your book years ago. The Mating Habits of the Common Draccus. Quite the eye-opener for a young man with his head full of stories.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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