awaken to (something)

idiom

somewhat formal

: to become aware of (something)

They finally awakened to the possibility of war.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Once the light has reached its full brightness level, the alarm clock will play one of five soothing sounds of your choosing to rouse you, or opt to awaken to FM radio instead. —Ellen Mcalpine, CNN Underscored, 6 July 2020

The nation is beginning to awaken to the greater need to honor the full diversity of people who helped pioneer our great nation. —Nick Givas, Fox News, 25 June 2020

As the American people awaken to the geopolitical and economic threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party, that protection makes more strategic sense than ever. —Aharon Friedman, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2023

The kids awaken to find explosive collars secured around their necks. —Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2023

The film, which opened Christmas week, mercifully never shows a rape scene; the attacks are hinted at as the survivors awaken to blood and pain. —Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2022

Oh will play Sofia Mori, a liberated feminist who, in the midst of a love triangle, begins to awaken to the complexity of her own Asian-American identity. —Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Nov. 2022

Few homicides occur at the reported hour, about 11 hours after nightfall and an hour and a half before sunrise, when much of the city is just beginning to awaken to a new day. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022

So that night, the refugees spread out across the deck to find some rest, only to awaken to the sight of the Libyan coastline. —Kenneth R. Rosen, The New Republic, 26 Apr. 2022

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