EYE-OPENING Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

eye-opening

adjective

Definition of eye-opening

as in surprising

causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness hunting for a first apartment in a big city is an eye-opening experience for young people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

causing wonder or astonishment that acclaimed magic act had a number of eye-opening moments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 eye-opening In person, the 849 looks sleek and eye-opening, like a postmodern kinetic sculpture. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 The fact that Heyward could remain so calm was eye-opening for Freeman. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Reading science fiction has been eye-opening for me, not least because of the differences between sci-fi and the present day. — Carline Tromp, The Dial, 18 Aug. 2026 Scheffler has the benefit of simply playing and winning in this era of professional golf, but the numbers are eye-opening to compare. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Rourke completed 12-of-14 passes for 100 yards, and just as eye-opening was his mobility. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 The former quarterback said the procedures were eye-opening and humbling. — David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 And perhaps even more eye-opening, when Smith went down, instead of elevating a second team guard, the Chiefs moved Benson into the spot and returned Moore to starting tackle. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 Maintaining control Just as eye-opening was how well cars maintained control in snow and ice. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eye-opening

Adjective

For something with only 256 pixels to play with, people have found a surprising number of things to put on them.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of surprising

Adjective

Churchman said that in developing the firm’s AI platform for clients, the software made a startling admission.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
A couple's anniversary getaway took a wild turn when a bear strolled into a Gatlinburg tea shop and began rummaging through merchandise before suddenly jumping onto the counter in a startling encounter caught on video.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of startling

Adjective

As men, women and children flooded across the border between Morocco and Spain, into the autonomous city of Ceuta at the end of July, European populists and anti-immigrant politicians capitalized on the shocking images of human desperation.

— Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The number was so shocking that the company became a symbol of industrial power and financial concentration.

— Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

The approvals here in this state happened with astonishing speed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Highlights include astonishing wildlife moments like orcas carrying a humpback whale calf together after separating it from its mother and the unexpected encounter between a freediver and a giant oceanic sunfish.

— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of astonishing

Adjective

The Colorado Rockies overcame a nine-run deficit, matching the biggest rally in team history and stunning the Atlanta Braves 12-10 on Troy Tulowitzki’s go-ahead single in the eighth inning.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Options include a stunning floating breakfast, wine and cheese tastings, cooking masterclasses, and a romantic sunset dinner on an isolated sandbank.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stunning

Adjective

Over the next two decades, Evergrande built many of the homes, office blocks and urban structures that powered China’s miraculous economic growth.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury during the crash and was in the hospital for months, but has made a miraculous recovery.

— Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of miraculous

Browse Nearby Words

eye-openers

eye-opening

eyes

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Style

“Eye-opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eye-opening. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of eye-opening

adjective

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