as in shock
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-opener
This could be an eye-opener to what’s really sticking out.
—
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
So that was certainly a bit of an eye-opener and that's more of an industry takeaway.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
As rough as parts of their hometown were, Detroit was an eye-opener.
—John Carlisle, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The closeness in my race and the closeness in the president's race last year were real eye-openers.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
So that was certainly a bit of an eye-opener and that's more of an industry takeaway.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
As rough as parts of their hometown were, Detroit was an eye-opener.
—John Carlisle, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The closeness in my race and the closeness in the president's race last year were real eye-openers.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye-opener
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opener
Noun
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In 1981, President Ronald Reagan removed price controls on oil, a reversal of 1970s-era regulations following the oil shocks.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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Those planted between now and November face extreme heat stress in addition to normal transplant shock — a deadly combination.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Back barring a surprise Marco Kasper Kasper’s second NHL season didn’t go according to plan, with his production dropping from 37 points as a rookie to 19 this season.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The superstars’ set list didn’t deviate too far from their previous shows on the trek, but there were some surprises during the encore.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Because Hunt knows that McCartney has heard that several times a day for 50 years, and such revelations are at minimum uninteresting and often invasive for a mega-celebrity.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Broward School Board plans to consider an outside investigation, more training and more oversight in response to the revelation that the district’s logo and $150 in district money were used in connection to a Democratic fundraiser.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Golden State Valkyries made a draft night shocker on Monday night.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
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But the fact that 20% of the highest earners have done zero prep for retirement is a shocker.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Early-season trade possibilities There are a couple of bats the Red Sox could target to give their offense a jolt.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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Experiencing a romantic or creative jolt?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eye-opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opener. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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