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
Former Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich has had a rude awakening thus far following his migration to the ACC.
—
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Buyers expecting complete privacy can get a rude awakening.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
This isn't necessarily a problem yet, but after a couple of years of being able to rely on Nick Folk and Ryan Stonehouse as stalwarts, the Titans could have a rude awakening.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 18 Aug. 2025
But did his rude awakening to the majors shake him?
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rude awakening
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Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Buyers expecting complete privacy can get a rude awakening.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
This isn't necessarily a problem yet, but after a couple of years of being able to rely on Nick Folk and Ryan Stonehouse as stalwarts, the Titans could have a rude awakening.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 18 Aug. 2025
But did his rude awakening to the majors shake him?
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2025.
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