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
Léa Seydoux gives a very committed, unaffected performance as Lucy, an experimental pianist who must deal with the dawning knowledge that her beloved husband Philip (Laurence Rupp) has a second life online as a pedophile pornographer. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawning
Noun
  • There was just a hint of fog, which would thicken a little toward dawn.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
  • New York — People have been seeking out health information online since the dawn of the internet.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The Eastern Pacific basin — stretching from the coast of Mexico westward to 140° West Latitude — has an official season from May 15 to November 30, beginning earlier than the Atlantic because waters warm more quickly, according to NOAA.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 30 May 2026
  • George’s first three movies were all co-edited by Marcia, beginning with THX-1138 (1971).
    Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • The neighborhood/area Paradiso de la Bonita is a secluded property with the beach at its back and lush jungle and mangroves in front—perfectly positioned to take in a colorful sunrise or sunset.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The garden is free to visit and open from sunrise to sunset.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Xi will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a two-day state visit starting from next Monday, state media Xinhua announced on Friday.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Paul Rogers, a DNR fire prevention specialist, said 80% of the fires that get out of control every year in Michigan are caused by humans, with many of those fires starting as small, intended burns.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • The spa serves as a sanctuary for adults looking to relax, and golfers can disappear for the day at the 18-hole course designed by the legendary Donald Ross.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Maggie spends her summer days sunbathing at Lake Sunapee and walking around through the town and woods of Newport.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Indian Hotels Company is particularly eyeing opportunities arising from a shift in destination weddings from foreign locations to India.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 28 May 2026
  • Some 150 to 200 cable faults happen every year, with 70 to 80 percent of them arising from accidents involving fishing equipment and ships’ anchors, according to the International Cable Protection Committee.
    Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 27 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 6 Jun. 2026.

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