awe

noun

\ˈȯ

Definition of awe

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2 archaic

a : dread, terror

b : the power to inspire dread

awe

verb

\ˈȯ

awed; awing

Definition of awe (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to inspire or fill with awe We were awed by the beauty of the mountains.

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about awe

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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

We stood at an impasse. If she thought she was getting my bags, she was nuts. I was still awed that they had actually made it through baggage claim in one piece; there was no way I was parting with them now. — Helene Cooper, The House At Sugar Beach, 2008 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: Noun

Ja-vy’’ even at road ballparks when Baez turns in another awe-inspiring play, which has been frequently this season. — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, "El Mago: Javier Baez's flair is just what baseball needs," 12 July 2018 Whether commanding attention from show-goers in person, or eliciting double taps on Instagram feeds, the awe-inspiring, boundary-pushing hair and makeup looks offered up dreamy respite from the blistering summer heat. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "7 Couture Beauty Looks That Blew Up on the Paris Runways," 6 July 2018 Few American citizens are familiar with these awe-inspiring historical sites, and fewer still have had a chance to visit. — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, "This Free Virtual Reality App Drops Users in the Heart of Historic Armenia," 28 June 2018 The two guitarists closed the song with a cacophony of feedback and whammy bar squeals that was simultaneously awe-inspiring and nearly unbearable. — Bryan Rolli, Billboard, "Slayer Close Out First Leg of Farewell Tour with Blistering, Career-Spanning Austin Performance," 21 June 2018 For Jamie, the difficulties in his last decade figured as both the ordinary disasters of old age and the awe-inspiring decay of a national monument. — David Denby, The New Yorker, "Leonard Bernstein Through His Daughter’s Eyes," 16 June 2018 The Kiribati islands, captured with awe-inspiring drone footage, are sacred to the residents. — New York Times, "These Movies Haunted Me at the Human Rights Watch Festival," 15 June 2018 The game followed two awe-inspiring performances by the Americans — a 118-26 win over Panama on Monday and a 105-73 win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday. — Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "No hoops medal for Hebard, but Hepa keeps racking up big wins," 13 June 2018 The Chapel, 777 Valencia St., S.F. www.thechapelsf.com Amadou & Mariam: The awe-inspiring world music duo, who met at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, has performed with acts such as Coldplay, U2 and Alicia Keys. — Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, "Aidin Vaziri’s pop and jazz picks for the week of June 10," 7 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2001, he was awed by the celebration from his heroes in photojournalism. — David Fishcher, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Alan Diaz, AP photographer behind Elian image, dies at 71," 4 July 2018 But by the end of the game, the spindly point guard with the knee-high socks and forest green jersey awed them. — Josh Robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Trae Young loves to prove doubters wrong," 19 June 2018 The intrigue derived from the velocity, at least initially, but as Royals scouts further studied Kyle Zimmer in 2012, they were awed by the full repertoire. — Sam Mcdowell, kansascity, "Kyle Zimmer had such promise. But the Royals' patience has run out | The Kansas City Star," 29 Mar. 2018 After winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2001, he was awed by the celebration from his heroes in photojournalism. — David Fishcher, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Alan Diaz, AP photographer behind Elian image, dies at 71," 4 July 2018 Shooting a moving target, my father taught me, required anticipation, and his muscular pursuit of the clay birds soaring toward the creek possessed a precision and grace that awed me. — Liz Arnold, Longreads, "Making Peace with the Site of a Suicide," 11 July 2018 After winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2001, he was awed by the celebration from his heroes in photojournalism. — David Fishcher, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Alan Diaz, AP photographer behind Elian image, dies at 71," 4 July 2018 This tiny shop offers a glimpse into a rare and usual art, awing visitors with its beautiful string instruments on display. — Michelle Newman, San Antonio Express-News, "New Braunfels: Your guide to shopping, dining and hotels," 11 June 2018 Even seasoned crew members were awed by Cumberbatch's hotel tour de force, Jackson says. — Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, "Forget Doctor Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch on his dream role, messed-up 'Patrick Melrose'," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'awe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.