as in shocks
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-openers
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
But under the hood, there are some other eye-openers.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
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
But under the hood, there are some other eye-openers.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-openers
Noun
-
These systems help ensure steady supplies for semiconductors, batteries and advanced manufacturing when trade restrictions, export controls or price shocks strain primary sources — allowing companies to manage costs and stay competitive.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Those who came under suspicion were taken unwillingly to a military hospital in Pretoria, cut off from their families, and subjected to electric shocks.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After a finale built on revelations and a last-minute cliffhanger, the new season pushes the story beyond the bunker walls and into the unknown.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Government admits failures of Army pilots A few legal revelations have been unveiled in the weeks leading up to the board meeting, which could create longer term impact on the Army and other agencies involved.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both figures are positive surprises.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The real news, as Fortune's Jessica Mathews reports, was the basket of surprises that CEO Elon Musk unveiled.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.—
Katie Lauer,
Mercury News,
22 Dec. 2025
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The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Eye-openers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-openers. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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