consciousness-raising

noun

cons·​cious·​ness-rais·​ing ˈkän(t)-shəs-nəs-ˌrā-ziŋ How to pronounce consciousness-raising (audio)
: an increasing of concerned awareness especially of some social or political issue

Examples of consciousness-raising in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The setting is an unidentified town in Ohio in the early 1970s, a rec center that plays host to a weekly meeting of seven women, all walks of life, who are intrigued by this new talk of Women’s Liberation and consciousness-raising. Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026 More recently, Martin launched The Sisterhood, an arm of La DoubleJ devoted to consciousness-raising. Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026 Benjamin insisted that media ought to restore humans to a sense of being together in experience, thereby fostering political consciousness-raising. Caroline A. Jones, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025 The Feminist Press The story follows Esther, a divorced professor who falls in love during the social upheaval and feminist consciousness-raising of the 1970s. Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024 Much like the practice of consciousness-raising occurring in feminist circles during the same years, early men’s rights organizations offered social connection and a sense of political purpose to their members. Theresa Iker / Made By History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 As a rule, these thrillers do not venture past such moments of consciousness-raising. Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024 While these efforts have shined a spotlight on the importance of breast cancer awareness, doctors agree that there should be just as much emphasis on preventive care and consciousness-raising to heart health. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 25 June 2024 Poland's experience demonstrates the limited efficacy of consciousness-raising without institutional change. Marta Figlerowicz, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consciousness-raising was in 1968

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Cite this Entry

“Consciousness-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness-raising. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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