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
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
Beringer noted the speed and physicality of Minnesota’s preseason games have been eye-openers.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
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
Beringer noted the speed and physicality of Minnesota’s preseason games have been eye-openers.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opener
Noun
-
New Environment If your plant has gone through a significant change in its environment recently—colder or warmer temperatures, a sudden lack of humidity, a change in light levels or watering habits—the shock could cause leaf drop.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why most economists agree the oil price shock from the Iran war probably won’t end in a recession.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps none of this should be a surprise.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Grammy Award-winning singers Billie Eilish and SZA were among a group of surprise guests brought out during Justin Bieber’s weekend two headlining set at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival into the early Sunday morning hours.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are revelations aplenty, shocks too, and dozens of motel breakfasts, all in search of the holy grail, which, in most cases, is represented by a full scholarship to a Division 1 college or university.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Porter’s biggest negative came out last year with revelations about her verbally abusing staff members, including one incident caught on video.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Golden State Valkyries made a draft night shocker on Monday night.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But the fact that 20% of the highest earners have done zero prep for retirement is a shocker.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the Timberwolves began transfixed watching the ball, Bruce Brown, who provided a Red Bull jolt in the second quarter on both ends of the floor, grabbed the rebound.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The initial jolt lasted about a minute, but the force released was powerful enough to buckle roadways and sidewalks, throw thousands of buildings off their foundations and break gas lines all over the city.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eye-opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opener. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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