1
: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime
stood in awe of the king
regard nature's wonders with awe
awed; awing; awes
: to inspire or fill with awe
We were awed by the beauty of the mountains.
Examples of awe in a Sentence
Noun
Clem gasped in awe. Inches from the shelf stood a column of scrimshaw the likes of which he'd never seen.
—
Al Michaud, Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2005
I expected to be impressed by Machu Picchu, but now that we're here, standing in the clouds atop the world, I'm more than impressed—I'm in awe. Machu Picchu is actually better than photographs suggest, more a timeless way station than archaeological ruin.
—Patrick J. Kelly, Traveler, May/June 2005
Organs began to appear in American churches early in the eighteenth century. Their glorious tones promised to harmonize cacophonous congregational singers and to inspire worshippers with a reverential sense of awe, bestirring them to moral improvement.
—Jonathan D. Sarna, American Judaism, 2004
It was a sight that filled me with awe and reverence.
a person who inspires feelings of awe in others
Verb
Most relative neophytes are so awed by having been accepted into the priesthood of specialty medicine and so reluctant to cause themselves trouble in the institutions in which they will work for the coming decades that they would be hesitant to risk offending their seniors.
—Sherwin B. Nuland, New York Review of Books, 18 July 2002
But even non-birders cannot help but be awed by the significance of the habitat. All around us creatures dart and dive; birds attracted by fish and water, birds drawn by seeds and chaff. Birds with silly names: loons, boobies, cuckoos, goatsuckers.
—Clara Jeffery, Harper's, November 2002
Her style both awes and perplexes me.
Al Michaud, Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2005
I expected to be impressed by Machu Picchu, but now that we're here, standing in the clouds atop the world, I'm more than impressed—I'm in awe. Machu Picchu is actually better than photographs suggest, more a timeless way station than archaeological ruin.
—Patrick J. Kelly, Traveler, May/June 2005
Organs began to appear in American churches early in the eighteenth century. Their glorious tones promised to harmonize cacophonous congregational singers and to inspire worshippers with a reverential sense of awe, bestirring them to moral improvement.
—Jonathan D. Sarna, American Judaism, 2004
It was a sight that filled me with awe and reverence.
a person who inspires feelings of awe in others
Verb
Most relative neophytes are so awed by having been accepted into the priesthood of specialty medicine and so reluctant to cause themselves trouble in the institutions in which they will work for the coming decades that they would be hesitant to risk offending their seniors.
—Sherwin B. Nuland, New York Review of Books, 18 July 2002
But even non-birders cannot help but be awed by the significance of the habitat. All around us creatures dart and dive; birds attracted by fish and water, birds drawn by seeds and chaff. Birds with silly names: loons, boobies, cuckoos, goatsuckers.
—Clara Jeffery, Harper's, November 2002
Her style both awes and perplexes me.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Image In between sips from a chai latte at Manhattan’s Chelsea Market, Rogers, 26, could not quite seem to shake a sense of awe at the turns her career has taken in such a short time.
—Dana Golan, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Herb Cromwell, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025
The latter can just walk the rim and be awed by Inspiration Point, Sunset Point and other spots from afar.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for awe
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Noun
The resulting reconstructions show that the Parthenon’s internal appearance was constructed to provoke maximum awe—and even fear—by presenting a monumental golden goddess emerging from darkness.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Image In between sips from a chai latte at Manhattan’s Chelsea Market, Rogers, 26, could not quite seem to shake a sense of awe at the turns her career has taken in such a short time.
—Dana Golan, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
In the late afternoon, my wife and I would have luscious cocktails in Bemelmans Bar and in the evening be awed by whatever chanteuse is entertaining in the Cafe.
Spend a month or two in our beach houses in Martha’s Vineyard and St. Simons Island.
—Herb Cromwell, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025
The latter can just walk the rim and be awed by Inspiration Point, Sunset Point and other spots from afar.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for awe
Cite this Entry
“Awe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awe. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
awe
1 of 2 noun
: a feeling of mixed fear, respect, and wonder
awe
2 of 2 verb
awed; awing
: to fill with awe
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