overawe

verb

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

transitive verb

: to restrain or subdue by awe
They have been in the finals before and won't be overawed by the competition.

Examples of overawe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the game, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve credited Golden State with making Game 2 a tough encounter, highlighting the fevered atmosphere inside Chase Center, but also acknowledged her team’s resilience for not getting overawed by the occasion. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025 But both McGuinness and his successor, Frank O’Farrell, seemed overawed by the size of the job, which, as well as trying to cover the post-Busby void, included the difficulties of handling Bobby Charlton’s decline and George Best’s off-pitch problems. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for overawe

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overawe was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Overawe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overawe. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.

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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