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
From the northern hemisphere, the planets will be low on the eastern horizon in the early morning hours before astronomical dawn. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 July 2026 People started lining up at dawn for shuttle buses up to the Burning Hills, in the Badlands. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
Verb
Sunday morning dawned with a high overcast. — Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026 The realization that loneliness might be even more keenly felt in the midst of a familiar crowd is one that dawns with maturity. — Maria Albano, Air Mail, 9 May 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 new space is intended to hold free community programming, with potential activities including sunrise yoga, farmers markets, family movie nights, nonprofit events and cultural festivals.
    — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
  • Lorenzo Salgado Araujo worked for 35 years from sunrise to sunset to send all three of his American citizen sons to college.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of sunrise
Noun
  • More than 73,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilian and militant deaths, including more than 1,000 killed since the beginning of the latest ceasefire.
    — Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Johnson Products Company — which would later go on to manufacture Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm and men’s cologne line Black Tie — was made from humble beginnings, grit and a revolutionary product idea.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Available cruises on Legend currently start at $773 per person based on double occupancy, including taxes and fees, according to Royal Caribbean’s website.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • El Niño is expected to prolong an existing unrelated marine heat wave that would otherwise typically start fading between October and December, scientists say.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 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
  • Some team executives and agents have considered the second apron, set at just under $222 million this coming season, as a de facto hard cap since its inception.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Definition of inception
Verb
  • The foursome began a two-year, multi-million-dollar journey that preserved the building’s original craftsmanship while modernizing the design, plumbing, and electrical.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Crews from multiple local and state agencies began an extensive search, and his body was recovered early Monday, family members confirmed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of begin
Noun
  • Captain Tim Ream entered the media area after the defeat, a shell of a man who had spent the previous days proudly leading the team throughout this tournament, playing in four US matches at this World Cup.
    — David Close, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • Every travel day requires a spacious carry-on bag that’s comfortable to schlep through the airport and spacious enough to hold your in-flight essentials.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of day
Noun
  • Most of the symbol is believed to have been torn down by patriots at the onset of the revolution, though the surviving third remains at the church.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • The beneficiaries who qualify often have conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, intellectual disability, or early-onset dementia.
    — James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of onset

Phrases Containing dawn

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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 11 Jul. 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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