dawning 1 of 2

Definition of dawningnext
as in dawn
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance the cold, gray dawning of a wintry day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dawn

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 dawning
Noun
The quiet moments, the grief, the slow dawning of realization that her husband had written this piece as a way of dealing with his grief and her anger. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026 Ever enterprising, Toha does eventually make her way back to the party, but there, the ultimate dawning of her place outside of Nelly’s circle is heartbreaking. Alissa Simon, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026 His addition also heralded the dawning of an era in which LACMA actively sought to strengthen its connections with the entertainment world. Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026 From the origins of the Yakuza, the dawning of chemical warfare, and FDR’s spy shops, the novel treks across World War II to the dawn of the Cold War. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026 The dawning of light in this actor’s eyes breathes life into the old tale. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 On social media, some people even suggested this was the dawning of a new populist coalition of left and right. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025 As the sun rises behind the ELT, the image stands for the dawning of a new era in astronomical discovery. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025 This is the dawning of the age of school choice. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Three races in, there’ve been unforeseen winners, unpredicted changes to the schedule and the unanticipated reality of regulation changes dawning. Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 This is the familiar stage of rhetorical climbdown, indicating dawning awareness that a problem is more complicated than the president initially thought. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026 As the contours of the trade deadline marketplace formed in a more robust fashion on Wednesday, for example, several dawning realities became apparent. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 But the slightly hectic pace created a palpable feeling of dawning revelation. Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026 Not coincidentally Miami won its last playoff game — its last to this day — in the 2000 season just as New England’s rise was dawning. Greg Cote january 26, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026 Season 1 had an ideal structure in the trio of obstacles engineered by Alexandre, dovetailing with Camille and Issei’s dawning acceptance of each other as allies instead of enemies. Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026 Advertisement These moves reflect a dawning recognition that the old assumptions underpinning global business have been shattered. Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026 What finally brought him back to reality, Daniel said, was his dawning realization of the growing weight of his decisions — most crucially, losing his job and income — and the impact of his crisis on his relationships. Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawning
Noun
  • Egyptian officials also unveiled the discovery of an ancient monastery dating back to the dawn of Christian monasticism.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • An elevated public promenade overlooking the Intracoastal will be open from dawn to dusk.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Nate Tibbetts played for the men’s basketball team at the University of South Dakota before beginning his coaching career as an assistant for the University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball team.
    Annie Costabile, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • An old order is passing away and a new one is beginning.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Even after long struggles, each sunrise opens space to drop regrets, ease pressure, and leave old weights behind.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
  • They wed later that year at sunrise atop Moscow Mountain near their alma mater.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The question becomes what to do with the others, starting with Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The bill would invoke its restrictions in stages, starting with software and vehicle rules in 2027 and adding hardware rules in 2030.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Taurus April 20 – May 20 Your pace determines how steady your day feels.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
  • And while this is the king's first visit to his son's new home country since the rift, the four-day work trip isn't a personal one.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Despite higher oil prices, US shale executives are complaining that the market volatility arising from the conflict in the Middle East isn’t making their job any easier.
    David Wethe, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Sticking to a regular cleaning schedule, like once or every week, also helps prevent smells from arising in the tub.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On the morn of Liberation Day, Trump called out four other Republican senators — Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitch McConnell — for pushing back on his plan.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The light green safari shade is especially fun, or go for an aquatic vibe with the icy morn/sea wave two-combo.
    Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2023
Verb
  • Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell.
    Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
  • But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawning. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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