awakening

The moment or process of beginning to understand something important.

• That bill was a rude awakening.
• The novel describes a teenager’s sexual awakening.
• His first job brought an awakening to the difficulties of adult life.

How to use it: awakening to something (The journey led to her awakening to the realities of poverty.)

Similar words: realization

Common phrases: rude awakening, sexual awakening, awakening to something

The process or moment of stopping sleep.

• His awakening was sudden.
• The noise caused an early awakening.
• She remembered nothing of her awakening from that strange dream.

How to use it: awakening from something (Her awakening from a deep sleep was slow.)

Similar words: waking

Common phrases: sudden awakening, gentle awakening, awakening from sleep

The process of starting to act or take an active interest in something.

• The movement marked a political awakening.
• Spring brought an awakening of life in the garden.
• Their protests signalled the awakening of a new generation of activists.

How to use it: awakening of something (The crisis brought an awakening of public resistance.)

Similar words: revival, arousal

Common phrases: political awakening, national awakening, awakening of something

A time when many people become more interested in religion again.

• The town experienced a religious awakening.
• Preachers helped spread the awakening across the region.
• Several religious awakenings shaped the history of these churches.

Similar words: religious revival

Common phrases: religious awakening, spiritual awakening

Starting to wake up or become active, or making people feel more awake and excited.

• Light spread over the awakening city.
• Birdsong filled the awakening forest.
• The music had an awakening effect on her senses.

Similar words: rousing, stirring

Common phrases: awakening city, awakening world, awakening power