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
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 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 Indiana was always a sleeping giant in college football. Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026 Auburn has been regarded as a sleeping giant in the SEC, just a good coach away from re-establishing itself at the top of the conference. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025 Whatever the case, do not wake the sleeping giant. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleeping giant

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleeping giant was in 1970

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Cite this Entry

“Sleeping giant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleeping%20giant. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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