reawaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reawaken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of awakening something again, such as feelings, memories, or interests that have been dormant. Example: "The documentary aimed to reawaken the public's interest in environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was the first large security action since the radical Islamist group declared a unilateral ceasefire after its killing of tourists at Luxor in November 1997.The police response, sharp as it was, did not reawaken fear.

The Economist

The first error is to reawaken contagion risk elsewhere in the euro zone.

The Economist

Ms Richardson compares them with those by earlier illustrators to reawaken the reader's admiration.

The Economist

But the left is frustrated that the government's gestures are falling short of the heroic "French dream" that Mr Hollande promised to reawaken.

The Economist

Instead of the sounds of Glinka now marking occasions of state, they want to reawaken Russian souls with the anthem by Alexandrov, a Soviet-era musician, which Stalin introduced in 1944.

The Economist

Arriving in Japan, he became one of the primary compilers of the Dai Nihon shi ("History of Great Japan"), a comprehensive rewriting of Japanese history, which served to reawaken nationalistic feelings as well as to develop a sense of loyalty to the emperor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A similarly objective approach characterized the work of photographers interested in the artistic ideas embodied in Constructivism; the movement proposed that photographs could be a means to present the commonplace from fresh vantage points and thereby reawaken interest in routine objects and processes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Institutes of African Studies, at the Universities of Ibadan and Nigeria (Nsukka), have done much to reawaken interest in traditional folk dancing and poetry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mitsukuni's project, which was not finally completed until 1906 (although most of the work was done during his lifetime), helped establish Confucian philosophy in Japan and also served to reawaken Japanese nationalistic feelings and loyalty to the throne.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Child suicide bombers almost seem to justify species pseudo-differentation and they inevitably reawaken memories of the Holocaust – not that those are ever asleep.

Independent

Mr Venner, a presenter on a Catholic-traditionalust radio station and controversial historian and essayist,  posted an essay on his website earlier in the day calling for "new, spectacular and symbolic actions to shake us out of our sleep, to jolt anaesthetised minds and to reawaken memory of our origins".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if "reawaken" is the most appropriate term. Alternatives like "revive" or "rekindle" might be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "reawaken" when a simpler word like "awaken" or "wake" would suffice. "Reawaken" is most effective when emphasizing a return to a previous state after a significant period of inactivity or unawareness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reawaken" is as a transitive verb. Ludwig AI confirms it describes the act of making someone or something conscious or active again. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe bringing back feelings, memories, or interests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reawaken" is a grammatically sound and frequently used transitive verb that describes the act of bringing something back to consciousness or activity after a period of dormancy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedia and scientific contexts. Its purpose is to evoke a sense of revival or renewal, and it carries a neutral tone. When writing, remember that "reawaken" is most effective when highlighting a return to a previous state, and simpler words like "awaken" may be more suitable in simple awakening contexts. Consider using alternatives like "revive" or "rekindle" to fine-tune the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revive

Implies restoring something to life or vigor after a period of inactivity or decline. More general than "reawaken".

rekindle

Suggests reigniting something, often an emotion, interest, or relationship, that has faded.

resurrect

Conveys bringing something back from a state of near-death or oblivion. More dramatic and less frequently used.

regenerate

Emphasizes renewal and restoration, often in a biological or abstract sense.

reanimate

Focuses on bringing something back to life or activity, often used in a more literal or physical context.

rekindle the flame

Specifically refers to reviving a passionate emotion or relationship, adding a metaphorical element.

restore

Suggests returning something to its original condition, emphasizing repair and renewal.

reignite

Similar to rekindle, but can imply a sudden or forceful revival.

reactivate

Implies making something functional or operational again after a period of disuse.

bring back to life

A more literal and descriptive alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "reawaken" in a sentence?

You can use "reawaken" to describe the act of bringing something back to consciousness or activity after it has been dormant. For example, "The concert "reawakened" my love for classical music" or "The new policy aims to "reawaken" economic growth in the region".

What are some alternatives to the word "reawaken"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "revive", "rekindle", "resurrect", or "regenerate". Each word carries a slightly different connotation, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it correct to use "reawaken" in both literal and figurative contexts?

Yes, "reawaken" can be used in both literal and figurative senses. Literally, it can refer to waking up after a long sleep. Figuratively, it can describe the revival of emotions, ideas, or movements.

What is the difference between "reawaken" and "awaken"?

"Awaken" means to wake up or become conscious for the first time, while ""reawaken"" implies waking up or becoming conscious again after a period of being dormant or inactive. The prefix "re-" signifies a return to a previous state.