Phrase guide

rude awakening

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An unexpected discovery of an undesirable fact, especially one shattering high hopes or signifying the end of a comfortable situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: karun todellisuuden valkeneminen — Translations
  • French: dur retour à la réalité — Translations
  • French: douche froide — Translations
  • French: désillusion — Translations
  • German: böses Erwachen — Translations
  • Polish: kubeł zimnej wody — Translations
  • Polish: zimny prysznic — Translations
  • Spanish: golpe duro — Translations
  • Spanish: baldazo de realidad — Translations
  • Spanish: bajada de las nubes — Translations
  • Spanish: bajamiento de las nubes — Translations
  • Spanish: despertamiento rudo — Translations
  • Spanish: brusco despertar — Translations