rude awakening
noun
: surprising and unpleasant discovery that one is mistaken
He thinks he can get by without doing any work, but he is in for a rude awakening.
Examples of rude awakening in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Local politicians who were hoping to get a quick pay raise this year may be in for a rude awakening.
—
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The residents of a home in southeast Denver had a rude awakening Sunday morning when a car crashed through their fireplace.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Cold front to bring ‘rude awakening’ Temperatures are then expected to tumble as a cold front moves through the area late Saturday and overnight.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
Today’s Gemini full moon delivers an attitude adjustment – or a rude awakening!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rude awakening
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Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The residents of a home in southeast Denver had a rude awakening Sunday morning when a car crashed through their fireplace.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Cold front to bring ‘rude awakening’ Temperatures are then expected to tumble as a cold front moves through the area late Saturday and overnight.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
Today’s Gemini full moon delivers an attitude adjustment – or a rude awakening!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rude awakening
Cite this Entry
“Rude awakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rude%20awakening. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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