verb
awaken
uh-WAY-kun/əˈweɪkən/
To bring out of sleep or inactivity.
She awakens and pushes herself upright in the rumpled bed.
Etymology
The base meant to arise or come into being as well as wake up. Rousing people from sleep extended figuratively to stirring them into activity or awareness.
In context
what are we, you know, talking about is waking people up. It's like people have gone asleep. We're trying to awaken him.
More examples
- The report awakened the community to the river's pollution.
- The music awakens a long-forgotten sense of joy.
- He is awakening to the importance of protecting the wetland.
Forms
awaken · awakens · awakened · awakening
Similar words
- rouse
- Often implies vigorous action that brings someone out of inactivity.
- arouse
- Commonly emphasizes stirring a feeling or response.