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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Hosted by Shania Twain, the award show delivered on emotional moments, fun surprises and plenty of performances.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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Kenan Thompson turned a teacher tribute into the room’s sweetest surprise.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 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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For Riley, this was a jolt of illumination about the way the world viewed him—not as a child but as a suspect, a scammer in the making.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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Shot in Scope, filled with intimate closeups of the couple, the film lets the audience experience the same upsetting jolt as Gil over Jacques’ desire for control and toxic possessiveness.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eye-opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opener. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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