awakening
noun
awak·en·ing
ə-ˈwāk-niŋ 
ə-ˈwā-kə-
plural awakenings
1
: a rousing from sleep
The night terror is an abrupt awakening early in the night, most often within the first hour or two of sleep …—
Franklin Galvin et al.
Franklin Galvin et al.2
a
: a rousing from inactivity or indifference
… one of the primary branches of yoga … prescribes various practices to assist the yogi in the gradual awakening of the heart.—James Bailey
James Bailey
b
: a revival of interest in something (such as religion)
Russian Jews themselves experienced a cultural and political awakening after Israel's victory, some openly challenging their government's ban on religious and Hebrew training.—Jonathan D. Sarna
Jonathan D. Sarna3
: a coming into awareness
Like his discovery of literature, this intimacy becomes an awakening to the possibilities of life.—Morris Dickstein
Morris DicksteinExamples of awakening in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Islam’s new book tracks his career, spiritual journey, and the near death experiences that led his religious awakening.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Her work attracts high-functioning adults, couples, elite professionals, business leaders, medical professionals, and gifted individuals experiencing a spiritual awakening.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
The 2018 film First Reformed cast him as a minister whose painful past coalesces with an environmentalist awakening in an epic crisis of faith.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Gravinese explained that the mural signifies an awakening of consciousness.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awakening
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James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Her work attracts high-functioning adults, couples, elite professionals, business leaders, medical professionals, and gifted individuals experiencing a spiritual awakening.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
The 2018 film First Reformed cast him as a minister whose painful past coalesces with an environmentalist awakening in an epic crisis of faith.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Gravinese explained that the mural signifies an awakening of consciousness.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awakening
Cite this Entry
“Awakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awakening. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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