From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishawakena‧wak‧en /əˈweɪkən/ ●○○ verb formal 1 [intransitive, transitive]WAKE UP/GET UP to wake up or to make someone wake up She was awakened by a noise at two in the morning. Bill slept a little until he was awakened to take his turn on guard.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use wake up rather than awaken:She was woken up by the phone ringing.2 [transitive]FEEL HAPPY/FRIGHTENED/BORED ETC if something awakens an emotion, interest, memory etc it makes you suddenly begin to feel that emotion etc Early involvement in music can awaken an interest that will last a lifetime. → awaken somebody to something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
awaken• We think there are certain elements in sport that make it a vehicle for spiritual awakening.• The exhibit is designed to awaken a deeper understanding of Mexican culture.• It was a nightmare from which he would awaken at any moment.• He was awakened by the phone.• Then awaken him gently and present him with the bill.• Site visits can awaken motivation, and pupils learn by direct experiences which are not dependent on reading ability.• Besides, he didn't want to awaken the wrath of that turbulent priest again.• Whitehead, the geophysicist, was the first scheduled for awakening, then Kaminski, then Hunter.• As literacy proprietors awaken to the failure of their dreams and the aridity of their ideals, they join in coalitions.• If you make a habit of reviewing your fading dreams upon awakening, you can memorize quite a collection of nonsense.Origin awaken Old English awæcnian, from wæcnian; → WAKEN 