DAWNED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

dawned

verb

past tense of dawn

as in began

to come into existence a smile dawned on his face as he got the joke

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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 dawned As October dawned, Clinton held a lead but not an overwhelming one. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 The day dawned with rumors that the couple might have already said their vows ahead of the big event in New York. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 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 Sunday morning dawned with a high overcast. — Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026 So, as 1990 dawned a new decade, Welsh focused on cellular mechanics. — Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026 The deal’s status became even more fragile as Thursday dawned and Iran said Israeli strikes in Lebanon overnight violated the agreement. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 But then, over the course of several viewings, new recognitions dawned—on the social contract, illusions of class, and the artist’s deft use of color in this gorgeous study of red, white, and blue. — Laura Brown, Artforum, 25 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawned

Verb

SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt, and engineers began preparations to drain the rocket’s propellant tanks.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Tariffs on building materials such as lumber and steel, along with the inflation surge that began in 2022, have driven up the cost of renovations.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of began

Verb

Lanageliers started the game at catcher and hit third in the lineup while the American League won a largely uneventful affair, 4-0, at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
What started as a campaign to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities and weaken its global terror networks has morphed into a dispute over control of one of the world’s most important trade routes.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of started

Verb

Jockeying has already commenced in the state for the person who might take up the mantle of Senate Democratic nominee, including among those who didn't secure the gubernatorial nomination.

— Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 July 2026
On Thursday, the star and producer revealed that production has commenced on Fast Forever, which is set for a March 17, 2028 premiere, the 11th and final chapter in the $7 billion action franchise that launched with 2001’s The Fast and the Furious.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026

Definition of commenced

Verb

The Canadian broadcaster, which originated the breakout gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry also on HBO Max, has deals with Celeste Parr’s Punctuation Media and Lionsgate.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
The actor will step into the role of streetwise private investigator Jim Rockford, a role originated by the late actor James Garner, for the reboot of the classic TV series, The Rockford Files.

— Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of originated

Verb

Khamenei’s son and successor Mojtaba has still not appeared publicly since his father’s killing.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
As the order to evacuate was played over loudspeakers on the National Mall, some people appeared to be standing in place, talking with those around them and not exiting the area, while others were walking toward exits.

— Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of appeared

Verb

Ali al-Zaidi, a businessman with no political background, emerged as a consensus candidate in Iraq after months of deadlock over the premiership following last year’s parliamentary elections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Wilmington police say officers were monitoring a crowd when Skinner emerged from a house and pointed a gun at the group.

— CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of emerged

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dawned

dawned (on)

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“Dawned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawned. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dawned

verb

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