Definition of daybreaknext
as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance I always seem to wake up at daybreak, regardless of what the clock says

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 daybreak Skilling’s forecast calls for temperatures of around 10 degrees at daybreak and a high of 21 in the afternoon. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 The storm let up before daybreak, but the morning was gray and cheerless with a cold wind. Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026 For me, to be up and moving each day at daybreak was (and at the risk of sounding clichéd) an almost spiritual experience. Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026 By daybreak, the death toll was at least thirty-one. Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daybreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daybreak
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
Noun
  • Let the day unfold instead of forcing it.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • That happened one day during a middle school game.
    Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Onlookers in the Northern Hemisphere will get the best chance to view the celestial show from Tuesday night until dawn Wednesday morning, according to EarthSky.
    Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The violence started before sunrise Sunday Authorities said the shooting erupted before dawn at two homes.
    Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Wellness Gifts for Mother’s Day Every morning, my mom and aunt wake up at 6 am to work out together.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Mamdani laughed off those digs Tuesday morning while voicing his support for his favorite MLB team.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 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
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Daybreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daybreak. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on daybreak

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster