sunrise
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for sunrise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The moment the sun comes up over the horizon in the morning.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use sunrise
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
at sunrise
sunrise over the mountains
watch the sunrise
Etymology
From Middle English sonne-rys, literally "sun" + "rise" — the sun rising.
Full origin of sunrise →Frequently asked questions
What does “sunrise” mean?
The word “sunrise” means the moment the sun comes up over the horizon in the morning. In plain terms, the sun coming up at the start of the day, or figuratively a fresh start.
How do you pronounce “sunrise”?
“Sunrise” is pronounced SUHN-ryz (/ˈsʌnɹaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “sunrise” in a sentence?
Here is “sunrise” used in a sentence: “They hiked up before dawn to watch the sunrise.”
What part of speech is “sunrise”?
“Sunrise” is a noun.
Where does the word “sunrise” come from?
The word “sunrise” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sonne-rys, literally "sun" + "rise" — the sun rising.
Is “sunrise” a common word?
“Sunrise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sunrise” have?
“Sunrise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the moment the sun comes up over the horizon in the morning.
What is the difference between sunrise and dawn?
Sunrise is the specific moment the sun's disk actually appears over the horizon, while dawn refers to the broader period of growing light before that moment, when the sky begins to brighten. Dawn therefore starts earlier and ends when sunrise occurs.
Is "sunrise" the same as "sunup"?
Yes, "sunup" is essentially a synonym for sunrise, both referring to the moment the sun comes up over the horizon in the morning. "Sunup" is the more informal or regional of the two terms.
What does "sunrise" mean when used figuratively, as in "a sunrise industry"?
Used figuratively, "sunrise" refers to a new beginning or the start of something significant, echoing the idea of a fresh day beginning. A "sunrise industry," for example, is one that is newly emerging and expected to grow, in contrast to a declining "sunset industry."
