dawning 1 of 2

Definition of dawningnext
as in dawn
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance the cold, gray dawning of a wintry day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dawn

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 dawning
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 His addition also heralded the dawning of an era in which LACMA actively sought to strengthen its connections with the entertainment world. Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026 From the origins of the Yakuza, the dawning of chemical warfare, and FDR’s spy shops, the novel treks across World War II to the dawn of the Cold War. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026 The dawning of light in this actor’s eyes breathes life into the old tale. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 On social media, some people even suggested this was the dawning of a new populist coalition of left and right. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025 As the sun rises behind the ELT, the image stands for the dawning of a new era in astronomical discovery. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025 This is the dawning of the age of school choice. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
This is the familiar stage of rhetorical climbdown, indicating dawning awareness that a problem is more complicated than the president initially thought. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026 For many women, the dawning awareness that people who have known you for years, or even your whole life, don’t value you the same anymore can be painful. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026 As the contours of the trade deadline marketplace formed in a more robust fashion on Wednesday, for example, several dawning realities became apparent. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 But the slightly hectic pace created a palpable feeling of dawning revelation. Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026 Not coincidentally Miami won its last playoff game — its last to this day — in the 2000 season just as New England’s rise was dawning. Greg Cote january 26, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026 Season 1 had an ideal structure in the trio of obstacles engineered by Alexandre, dovetailing with Camille and Issei’s dawning acceptance of each other as allies instead of enemies. Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026 Advertisement These moves reflect a dawning recognition that the old assumptions underpinning global business have been shattered. Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026 What finally brought him back to reality, Daniel said, was his dawning realization of the growing weight of his decisions — most crucially, losing his job and income — and the impact of his crisis on his relationships. Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawning
Noun
  • Schools and workplaces open at night, construction sites buzz in the small hours under massive floodlights, and outdoor recreation takes place in the twilights of dawn and dusk.
    Big Think, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Originating from leftover particles from Comet Thatcher, this annual shower is best viewed away from city lights after moonset and before dawn.
    Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Organizers with 50501 SoCal expected tens of thousands to march, beginning at Los Angeles City Hall, a news release said.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • More than 7 million student loan borrowers who have been enrolled in a Biden-era repayment plan will receive notices beginning Friday with instructions to seek a new plan to repay their debt, the Education Department said.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Early Monday morning, passengers filled the McNamara terminal well before sunrise.
    Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Wake early to catch the spectacle of sunrise before driving 30 minutes to the neighboring Santa Teresa.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After recently signing a standard NBA contract after starting the season on a two-way deal, Cain did a little bit of everything with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Various activities and entrance fees are covered with tickets starting at $55.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Over the next 7 days, the Hornets must take care of business against Indiana.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill until filling is set and cake is cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ranching on the borderlands of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico is seasoned with challenges arising from the whims of nature.
    Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Major problems arising from hallucinating AI coding software could snowball into catastrophe at many other firms as well.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • On the morn of Liberation Day, Trump called out four other Republican senators — Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitch McConnell — for pushing back on his plan.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The light green safari shade is especially fun, or go for an aquatic vibe with the icy morn/sea wave two-combo.
    Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2023
Verb
  • The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.
    Awilda Esteras, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.
    Annabelle Gurwitch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawning. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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