overawe

verb

over·​awe ˌō-vər-ˈȯ How to pronounce overawe (audio)
overawed; overawing; overawes

transitive verb

: to restrain or subdue by awe

Examples of overawe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He didn’t get ruffled by a noisy Rod Laver Arena crowd, or overawed by the occasion. John Pye, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 Possibly, his mere celebrity presence and oratory skills overawed his audiences. Albert Camus, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023 The scientific community, says Bennetto, was not overawed. Bennett Daviss, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 This iteration of the U.S. team is desperately searching for a collective identity—not to mention a midfield structure—and is led by a feckless coach who seems overawed by his position and afraid to assert himself in the hinge moments of matches. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2023 The art can overawe him. Mary Jo Murphy, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023 By causing international shocks, Russia hopes to overawe the West once again, both presenting it the prospect of a winter energy shortage and stoking crises in the developing world. Seth Cropsey, National Review, 20 July 2022 The only possible argument against these activities would be that the former president's lingering aura of majesty would somehow overawe his business partners or opposing counsel or fellow lawmakers or whatever. Grayson Quay, The Week, 7 Apr. 2022 Kenin was on the back foot for the opener, though didn't appear to be overawed in her first grand slam final. Ravi Ubha, CNN, 1 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overawe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overawe was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near overawe

Cite this Entry

“Overawe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overawe. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overawe

verb
over·​awe ˌō-və-ˈrȯ How to pronounce overawe (audio)
: to make quiet or peaceful with fear, respect, or wonder

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