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
But the young nation was dawning a new age. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 Three races in, there’ve been unforeseen winners, unpredicted changes to the schedule and the unanticipated reality of regulation changes dawning. Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawning
Noun
  • Everything now centered on his homecoming, when the family would celebrate by breaking the dawn-to-dusk fast of Ramadan with a feast.
    Dan Barry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
  • Mohamad Shukri Khotob said the fishing vessel called for help after finding the people floating at sea before dawn.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Lee was walking us along a sweetness gradient, beginning with a savory on-ramp of legumes and caviar and arriving at a place of unambiguous dessert.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
  • Some strategists later said that the debate helped shift Pratt's candidacy from political novelty to a campaign that voters were beginning to take seriously.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Soukana’s rooftop bar and lounge is a great place to flop down and take in the sunrise or sunset.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • Look low toward the eastern horizon before sunrise to spot the crescent moon and Saturn together.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Reece James ticks the most boxes, but would need to be managed through a tournament that could involve eight matches in 33 days.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • The team had been on a 10-day road trip.
    Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Up the road from Gillette Stadium, a town neighboring Foxboro is pressing for funding to meet public safety demands arising from the World Cup, with the first match just over a month away.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
  • Alito handles emergency matters arising from the 5th Circuit by default, and major cases are ultimately often referred to the full court for a vote.
    Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 May 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 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
  • This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawning. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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