This morning, as the sun rose, there were a variety of synonyms for the time of day. The first light of day, dawn, the crack of dawn, daybreak, sunrise, the early hours, the wee hours of the morning, the AM hours, the start of the day, and first thing in the morning. Each phrase has its own unique connotation and can be used depending on the context of the situation. Whether it's waking up early to start a busy day or simply enjoying the calmness of the morning, there are plenty of ways to refer to this time of day.