eye-opening

adjective

Definition of eye-openingnext
1
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness hunting for a first apartment in a big city is an eye-opening experience for young people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
causing wonder or astonishment that acclaimed magic act had a number of eye-opening moments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of eye-opening The pieces of it that Weiden shares with us, including a passage about Native athletes’ crucial role in the early history of the sport of football, are eye-opening. — Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026 The breadth of Cannes Lions is eye-opening for media and entertainment insiders who get to see and hear how technology and digital disruption are transforming other industries. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2026 Yet what the 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, did in improving his paddle skills was eye-opening to Gadowsky in reflecting McKenna’s innate competitiveness. — John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Though the Vancouver Canucks weren’t directly involved in the action, the consistent drumbeat of seismic deals was eye-opening and instructive. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Both trips will be painful, eye-opening, and telling. — Michael Stevens, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026 The financial contrast was particularly eye-opening given the cost of becoming an attorney. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026 JPMorgan star analyst Natasha Kaneva had an eye-opening note this week. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 3 June 2026 Porowski’s excitement is palpable, an eye-opening foray through an urban expanse packed with possibilities. — Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opening
  1. surprising
  2. wonderful
  3. startling
  4. amazing
  5. shocking
  6. astonishing
  7. stunning
  8. miraculous
Adjective
  • Irving Stone’s Michelangelo novel, The Agony and the Ecstasy, introduced me to the idea of the artist, the miracle of a person bringing something wholly new and surprising into the world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • There wasn’t much that was surprising, though a complimentary shoe-shining and pant-pressing service was a nice touch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • There was something wonderful about the energy of the space—sprinkled with students diligently studying for final exams.
    — Dana Kravis, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • The airline’s business class is well worth the splurge, thanks to the delicious food and beverage offerings, comfortable seats, innovative programs, and wonderful service on board.
    — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the startling announcement that the US military would begin requiring all active duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older to undergo mandatory screening for testosterone deficiency.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • The style configurations seemed limitless, and every type of woman or man seemed uniquely desirable — stunning in their own startling way.
    — Stephanie Fairyington, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • But the Orlando installation also will not have the amazing hillside setting with its valley and mountain views that the California original promises.
    — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026
  • Harnessing the amazing benefits AI can provide means first developing your executive decision-making skills.
    — Hanneke Antonelli, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • Yet somehow, two decades later, the viciously antisemitic Vichy regime planted itself in power; a shocking betrayal by France of some of its most loyal and generous supporters, in a dehumanizing toxic swamp of suspicion, judgment, envy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • As shocking as the scandal surrounding Terrion Arnold is, the 2024 first-round pick had not played that well, and the Lions could be better without him.
    — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • The Jules Rimet Trophy — named after the former FIFA president following his death in 1956 — had an astonishing history.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Because of this tremendous heat, hydrogen atoms in the inner core of stars are zipping along at incredible speeds and slamming into each other with astonishing violence.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • In a stunning turn, a Sacramento Superior Court judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the K Street mass shooting murder trial of surviving suspects Dandrae Martin and Mtula Payton after jurors failed to reach verdicts on the remaining charges.
    — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
  • The Valkyries couldn’t buy a bucket from that point and Washington hit enough free throws to seal a stunning win on the road.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Definition of stunning
Adjective
  • The following season, Newcastle came third in the Premier League and Andy Cole scored 41 goals, a miraculous rise by the standards of most clubs and vertiginous for Newcastle.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • They’re tossed in a blend of malt-vinegar powder, sugar, salt, black pepper, and MSG, a miraculous combination that activates every sensory receptor simultaneously, and nearly blows out your palate for anything else.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of miraculous

Browse Nearby Words

eye-openers
eye-opening
eyes
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Cite this Entry

“Eye-opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opening. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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