dawn 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dawnnext
1
as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance we stayed up talking until dawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beginning
the point at which something begins the dawn of civilization

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dawn

2 of 2

verb

ˈdȯn How to pronounce dawn (audio)
as in to start
to come into existence a smile dawned on his face as he got the joke

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dawn
Noun
The carrier shut down before dawn May 2, failing to reach a deal with bondholders, including for a potential government bailout. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 The science and biology behind this issue has been well established since the dawn of time. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Crips and Bloods reached the apex of their Stockton influence in the 1980s and 1990s, Washington recalled, as the concept of fast money dawned along with the crack cocaine epidemic. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026 Once airborne, though, a sense of infinity dawned out the cockpit windows, and of sheer mass behind the pilots. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawn
  1. sunrise
  2. beginning
  3. start
  4. dawning
  5. inception
  6. begin
  7. day
  8. onset
Noun
  • The spacious porch faces the water and delivers show-stopping sunrise views.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Shot on location in Alberta, Canada, the blooming grasslands, breathtaking sunrises, glistening rivers and immense mountaintops are characters in their own right, often pulling audiences in when the storyline itself is drastically lacking.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of sunrise
Noun
  • Her exit follows the resignations last week of acting Chief Financial Officer Steve Mahr and Deputy CFO Noor Shaikh in June — coming after CFO Jill Jaworski departed at the beginning of this year.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • For Jed Hoyer, trading Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene in Sunday night’s deal with the Blue Jays was only the beginning of a buying spree.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Willy Adames and Rafael Devers singled to start the fourth against Melton, putting runners at the corners.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of start
Noun
  • The quiet moments, the grief, the slow dawning of realization that her husband had written this piece as a way of dealing with his grief and her anger.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Ever enterprising, Toha does eventually make her way back to the party, but there, the ultimate dawning of her place outside of Nelly’s circle is heartbreaking.
    — Alissa Simon, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of dawning
Noun
  • Georgia’s current 911 infrastructure has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1968, according to the Georgia Emergency Communications Agency.
    — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Since the inception of the Archdiocese's buyback events in 2023, nearly 1,500 firearms have been collected by the Baltimore Police Department, in an effort to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
    — Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of inception
Verb
  • Attacks could draw retaliation and reignite Yemen’s war Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, forcing the government into exile.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Insider tip Follow the paths through the lavender fields at sunset, when the bees begin to settle and the fields catch the last of the ethereal light.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Noun
  • The most recent National Climate Assessment, released by the federal government in 2023, warned most of Georgia will likely see between 10 and 40 more days with temperatures of at least 95 degrees by midcentury.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In other words, everyone is having a hectic day — except for Joy.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of day
Noun
  • Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious medical emergency characterized by severe, rapid onset psychiatric episodes such as mania, depression or hallucinations in the days or weeks after birth.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond the frosted-glass door, which reflected the onset of dusk, the sound of a bicycle bell passed by.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of onset

Phrases Containing dawn

Browse Nearby Words

dawdling
dawn
dawned
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Cite this Entry

“Dawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawn. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dawn

Nglish: Translation of dawn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dawn

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