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
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
As rough as parts of their hometown were, Detroit was an eye-opener.
—John Carlisle, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The closeness in my race and the closeness in the president's race last year were real eye-openers.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
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
As rough as parts of their hometown were, Detroit was an eye-opener.
—John Carlisle, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The closeness in my race and the closeness in the president's race last year were real eye-openers.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opener
Noun
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Though conditions are more acute in Myanmar due to the civil war, experts warn the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz could also dent rice production across the region – with potentially huge shocks for food security.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
-
The balloon emits electrical shocks that help break up the calcium and allow the stent to open wider.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Tom Brady, who was the victim of Netflix’s last celebrity roast in 2024, made a surprise appearance at Kevin Hart’s roast Sunday to launch a few jokes at the comedian before the night got underway.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
11 May 2026
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Deadline also asked Coogan about the surprise exit of Helena Bonham Carter, who left The White Lotus around a week into production and was later replaced by Laura Dern.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
Noun
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After the fallout over the Epstein files’ revelations on Mandelson, Rayner led a lawmakers’ revolt to force the government to cede control to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee to decide which documents should be released into the public domain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
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As campers compete for the chance at serving as opening act for the trio, tensions rise, and friendships are tested, leading to unexpected alliances, revelations and romances.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Unlike Golden Tempo, who pulled off a 23-1 shocker to make Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, Taj Mahal will start at a much lower price for Brittany Russell.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The Golden State Valkyries made a draft night shocker on Monday night.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Damon did all that and helped start the show off with an extra jolt of energy by returning as Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the cold open, along with last week’s ringer, Aziz Ansari, as FBI Director Kash Patel.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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But each of those Eastern Conference rebuilds does not figure to receive an immediate jolt up the standings with one more lottery pick.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eye-opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opener. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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