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
as in beginning
to come into existence
a smile dawned on his face as he got the joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dawning
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
If the excitement of Lionel Messi’s 2023 debut in MLS felt like the dawning of a new era, Son’s welcome was a reminder that the league still has plenty of room to grow — even two years after the greatest player of all time landed on its shores.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
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
Other countries around the world are taking notes as Australia explores new territory that some say mirrors safety evolutions of years past – the dawning realization that maybe cars need safety belts, and that perhaps cigarettes should come with some kind of health warning.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
As a woman whose dawning realization infests and wrenches apart her family, Collette turns in one of the most towering horror performances in memory.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
If the excitement of Lionel Messi’s 2023 debut in MLS felt like the dawning of a new era, Son’s welcome was a reminder that the league still has plenty of room to grow — even two years after the greatest player of all time landed on its shores.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Other countries around the world are taking notes as Australia explores new territory that some say mirrors safety evolutions of years past – the dawning realization that maybe cars need safety belts, and that perhaps cigarettes should come with some kind of health warning.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
As a woman whose dawning realization infests and wrenches apart her family, Collette turns in one of the most towering horror performances in memory.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawning
Noun
-
This wrenching documentary takes place on a Florida cul-de-sac where kids play outside from dawn till dusk.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The dog park is open from dawn to dusk from March through November.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With Mack under contract, re-signing Oweh becomes a clear priority for Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz ahead of the free-agent negotiation period beginning Monday.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Citizens are eligible for Social Security payments beginning at 62 years old.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The incident occurred halfway through the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Kansas coach Bill Self barked orders from the sideline inside T-Mobile Center, the tide was starting to turn.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Senior Republicans under pressure from conservative activists and GOP primary challengers are starting to take notice.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
FoodRecipesNewsHow ToDiningNewsletterInstagram Starting in 5 days Trouble in the kitchen?—
Becky Krystal,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Loomer in recent days has ramped up her calls for all Muslims to be deported from America and attacked New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his Islamic faith.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even with financial advisers helping Americans prepare both boomers and heirs for the largest wealth transfer in history, more disputes are arising, data show.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The combination of weak hiring and increasing inflationary pressures arising from the war creates a nightmare for the Federal Reserve, which must decide whether to cut interest rates to help the job market or hold off to help keep a lid on prices.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
6 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
-
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
-
According to China General Nuclear (CGN), on 21st February, the reactor pressure vessel for unit 6 began hoisting operations, officially commencing the installation of the unit’s main nuclear island equipment.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawning. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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