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
  • Both a once-in-a-lifetime artwork and a free, public venue where every day, from dawn till dusk, people can live and imagine.
    Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
  • That peak falls in daylight in Europe and North America, which means the real opportunities come before dawn and after sunset on either side.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The bar staff were beginning to clear up for the night.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The violence started before sunrise Sunday Authorities said the shooting erupted before dawn at two homes.
    Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The radiant rises to its highest point — when the most meteors will be visible — in the hours before sunrise.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Shop sets with short and sleeveless tops, shorts, and cropped pants, and even one with a duster, starting as low as $20.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Keep scrolling for more of this weekend’s best Amazon member-only deals—starting at $7.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Data obtained from the license plates cannot be held for more than 21 days unless there is an active criminal investigation, officials said.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The company sent two Falcon 9 rockets soaring, first from Florida before sunrise on Tuesday (April 14), and then from California after sunset the same day (by local time zone).
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The retailer says the receipt problem involved only a small number of transactions and that there have been no reports of identity theft arising from it.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • With Swalwell’s vacancy arising this late in the election cycle, Newsom was not required to call an election to replace him.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2026.

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