eye-opener

noun

eye-open·​er ˈī-ˌō-pə-nər How to pronounce eye-opener (audio)
-ˌōp-nər
1
: a drink intended to wake one up
2
: something startling, surprising, or enlightening
her biography is a real eye-opener
eye-opening
ˈī-ˌō-pə-niŋ How to pronounce eye-opener (audio)
-ˌōp-niŋ
adjective

Examples of eye-opener in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Space Economy Is Already Here Another eye-opener in our chat was just how much space already affects daily life. Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 The Trump administration’s fights with Harvard and Columbia are eye-openers for other universities that are trying to decipher how to handle the president and his desire to exert control over their policies. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 13 June 2025 What’s Next For Trayvon Bromell After Diamond League Rome The result from Rome was an eye-opener. Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 Using it, insisted Cross, has been an eye-opener and a game-changer. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for eye-opener

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eye-opener was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eye-opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eye-opener. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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