Meaning & use

awakening

noun·Academic

A sudden realization or moment of becoming aware of something, or the act of waking up.

See it in a sentence

Losing his job was a rude awakening about the importance of saving money.

The novel traces the slow spiritual awakening of a young monk.

A note on using this word

Awakening is often modified by an adjective like rude, spiritual, or sudden to specify what kind of realization is meant.

Words with a similar meaning

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