sleeping giant

noun

: one that has great but unrealized or newly emerging power

Examples of sleeping giant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At about 15 times that previous record-holding distance, this new research is the first time it has been successfully employed to measure the mass of such a distant sleeping giant. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 June 2026

Limitation #1: The Retirement Income Gap: awakening a sleeping giant For decades, leading non-profit healthcare organizations have embraced a cash-mostly approach, using robust salary and bonus pay to attract top talent and retain key leaders. — Jim Hebets, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

While the standings may not tell the tale, the Golden Knights were a sleeping giant given their territorial dominance this season. — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 31 May 2026

The exchange highlighted a sleeping giant of an issue — and one that lawmakers are often reluctant to talk about. — Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sleeping giant

• compliant
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• client
• pliant
• scient
• noncompliant