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 For long-time listeners to meetings of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, which is distinctly independent from NASA and tasked with identifying safety issues, these were eye-opening statements. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Her review of potential sales leads – and how 4 of your 5 target customers are current or former customers – is particularly eye-opening. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 In person, the 849 looks sleek and eye-opening, like a postmodern kinetic sculpture. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 The fact that Heyward could remain so calm was eye-opening for Freeman. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Reading science fiction has been eye-opening for me, not least because of the differences between sci-fi and the present day. — Carline Tromp, The Dial, 18 Aug. 2026 Scheffler has the benefit of simply playing and winning in this era of professional golf, but the numbers are eye-opening to compare. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Rourke completed 12-of-14 passes for 100 yards, and just as eye-opening was his mobility. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 And perhaps even more eye-opening, when Smith went down, instead of elevating a second team guard, the Chiefs moved Benson into the spot and returned Moore to starting tackle. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 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
  • The timing of the sale was a shock to much of the organization, though the decision to move on was less surprising.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Buttafuoco’s interview came out during the start of the Venice Film Festival, and the occasion led the art Biennale to find a surprising supporter in Sergei Loznitsa, perhaps the most famous Ukrainian filmmaker working today.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • The coast on this part of Tuscany is a little wild, but wonderful for swimming, and guests have access to the boat for excursions to nearby islands and morning swims off secret coves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Gloria lived a full, wonderful life filled with friends and great conversations and worthy causes.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Chelsea have lapses of startling vulnerability out of possession, and while Odegaard’s winner early in the second half was decorated by a sublime Havertz dummy, the move which led to it was far too simple to settle a game of this quality.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • There are startling displays of what seem to be private moments, as when, at one point, Evans allows the crew to film him showering fully naked.
    — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • Is there an argument to be made that John Schneider is doing an amazing job this year amid injuries, tough breaks and high expectations from the Jays faithful?
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Looking down at planes below Working on the 105th floor, Dadakis said, was an amazing experience.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • That whole sequence with Troy and Susan at the start of this episode is just … shocking.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Other films have handled the shocking deaths of romantic leads with more grace — Anne Hathaway riding her bike in front of a certain semi-truck in 2011 comes to mind — even while doing objectively less to ensure that they’re understood.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • The astonishing social movements of the decade—particularly the black freedom struggle and the antiwar movement—could have produced a more durable sense of solidarity and collective possibilities.
    — Maggie McGowan, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
  • One of the best actors working today, Coon essentially plays two different sides of Rita with astonishing range across these chronologies, portraying the past and the present of her character through distinctive markers.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • For a team to pile up 38 first downs on a Clemson defense is stunning.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Mehdi Norowzian has crafted an emotionally profound and visually stunning film that demonstrates extraordinary cinematic artistry.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of stunning
Adjective
  • If the Broncos have a miraculous 17-0 season, Payton would pass Marty Schottenheimer (200).
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In an escape bordering on the miraculous, the crash somehow spared motorists on Milam Dairy Road and terrified workers in a bustling industrial warehouse district west of the airport.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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