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
Unfortunately, others are going to have a rude awakening.
—
Kyle Thomas, People.com, 6 July 2025
Many beachgoers enjoying the waters off Newport Beach on the July Fourth holiday were in for a rude awakening.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
Dallas Wings to miss playoffs (-120) This time last year, numerous WNBA players, past and present, foolishly predicted a rude awakening for the Indiana Fever’s Clark.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025
One spring morning last year, New Mexico writer Zach Hively had a rude awakening.
—Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rude awakening
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Kyle Thomas, People.com, 6 July 2025
Many beachgoers enjoying the waters off Newport Beach on the July Fourth holiday were in for a rude awakening.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
Dallas Wings to miss playoffs (-120) This time last year, numerous WNBA players, past and present, foolishly predicted a rude awakening for the Indiana Fever’s Clark.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025
One spring morning last year, New Mexico writer Zach Hively had a rude awakening.
—Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 29 May 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 10 Jul. 2025.
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