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 waken The dogs were asleep in their kennels at the time and wakened only when the would-be thief was discovered by the staff. Anne F. Thurston, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2016 As the world—wakened by the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Beirut, Paris, and now in California and London, too—struggles to defeat the Islamic State (also called ISIS), the answer is more important than ever. Jacob Olidort, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2015 Or later consciousness resurfaces in the morning on my return to the wakening world. Christof Koch, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2017 Two easy arm swing stretches to waken your shoulders after hours hunched over computers and phones. Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 19 May 2020 The startling display of acrobatics came, according to police, on Oct. 19, after homeowners in the 700 block of Pershing Drive in Silver Spring were wakened about 2:15 a.m. by the sound of a door. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2019 Before the Sword, by Grace Lin Mulan crept into her house, even though the Rabbit had told her the villagers would not waken even with the loudest of noises. David Canfield, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2019 The homeowner was wakened by the sound of knocking at the front door. Robert A. Cronkleton, kansascity, 4 Apr. 2018 She was wakened by an early morning phone call from family in Australia telling her the princess had died in a Paris car accident, then raced to the palace with her daughter and was among the first to leave a floral tribute. Danica Kirka, The Seattle Times, 31 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waken
Verb
  • Kirby Van Vliet woke to a faint smell of smoke in the air just before 8 a.m. Jan. 9.
    Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
  • In the end, everyone wakes from their temporary dystopian dreamland.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 1925, residents of Akron awoke to a strange sight in the sky over the booming Ohio city.
    April White, JSTOR Daily, 20 Jan. 2025
  • But after that wonderful news, Ian awakes to find his dear Rollo passed away from old age in the night.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Junie is a coming-of-age tale about a girl confronting a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost.
    Erin Crosby Eckstine, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck (The Open Field: $30) A guide to overcoming anxiety by awakening the creativity within.
    The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Many devotees have been clamoring for a tour for the lively country album, especially following the rousing success of the RenaissanceWorld Tour in support of her dance album.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
  • His rousing, technically impressive performance also raised the question of how much revolution Kendrick could possibly hope to represent, spark, or speak for while being platformed on a stage meant first and foremost to serve the pre-existing establishment.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near waken

Cite this Entry

“Waken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waken. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!