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dawn

[dawn] / dɔn /
NOUN
beginning of day
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dawning daybreak daylight morning
STRONG
aurora cockcrow light morn sunrise sunup
WEAK
break of day bright crack of dawn day-peep early bright first blush first light wee hours
Antonyms
STRONGEST
darkness sunset
WEAK
conclusion dusk end ending evening eventide finish setting sundown
NOUN
a beginning
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advent birth dawning
STRONG
alpha commencement emergence foundation genesis head inception onset opening origin outset rise source start unfolding
WEAK
outstart
Antonyms
STRONGEST
end
STRONG
completion conclusion death effect ending finale finish result stop
WEAK
dusk evening eventide setting sundown sunset
VERB
start
Synonyms
STRONGEST
loom unfold
STRONG
appear begin develop emerge glimmer initiate lighten open originate rise
WEAK
show itself
Antonyms
STRONG
close conclude decrease disappear end finish hide lessen terminate
WEAK
set

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"At first we were a little worried, but we knew that coming here at dawn was an experience not to be missed," Matteo Protti-Barbieri, a 23-year-old French student, told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

She said she and her partner, Michael Seward, were out before dawn.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

His body was spotted at dawn among the debris on the shore.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Artemis II pilot Victor Glover heard the call of the terminator: the border between the moon’s daytime and nighttime — the lunar dawn.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

AT dawn we break into the open from thick, dark forest and are treated to a spectacular sight.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

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