as in shock
informal
something that shows or teaches you something in a surprising way
Traveling abroad can be a real eye-opener to many people. They say her biography is quite an eye-opener.
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Recent Examples of eye-opener
And while nobody specifically mentioned parking prices at Clippers home games, that $70 charge for the garage across the street from the Intuit Dome is an eye-opener.
—
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
These two series are eye-openers about some of the ways people outside our experiences live.
—Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
This could be an eye-opener to what’s really sticking out.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
So that was certainly a bit of an eye-opener and that's more of an industry takeaway.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
These two series are eye-openers about some of the ways people outside our experiences live.
—Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
This could be an eye-opener to what’s really sticking out.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
So that was certainly a bit of an eye-opener and that's more of an industry takeaway.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opener
Noun
-
No Platner supporter, however, can feel certain that the shocks have ceased.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
Chloe Demrovsky, a professor at New York University, member of the Coalition for an Insurable Future and former FEMA National Advisory Council member, said most Americans cannot absorb a financial shock of more than $1,000, making insurance a critical safety net.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Both the performances and the awards themselves at the 79th Tony Awards were especially memorable, with surprise winners popping up left and right.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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Health authorities believe the outbreak, which took the eastern region of Congo by surprise after spreading silently for weeks without detection, started in the bustling mining area of Mongbwalu in Ituri province.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The appearance of Meija, West’s ex-girlfriend, was a big revelation.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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The revelation about the red paint, once the girls took their masks off, was a particular stunner.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Marist and Buford took the top overall spots (shocker), but there’s more to explore from each and every classification.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
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And so one of the things that is sort of a shocker to a lot of Americans, the First Amendment says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The Edmonton Oilers’ offseason received a jolt on Thursday after an article from Mark Spector at Sportsnet outlined that the Oilers and veteran defenceman Darnell Nurse are reaching a crossroads that will, sooner or later, see a parting of ways.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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One bonus is the jolt the picture gets when Kyra Sedgwick shows up and lobs a truth grenade.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eye-opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opener. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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