overawe

/ˌəʊvərˈɔː/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˈɔː/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌō-vər-ˈȯ/ (ame, mw)

overawe — 動詞

  • overawepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • overaweshe / she / it
  • overawedpast simple
  • overawing-ing form

1. to make someone feel so deeply impressed by your power, grandness, or seriousnes

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

使敬畏；震懾

讓人因敬畏或害怕而拘謹

to make someone feel so deeply impressed by your power, grandness, or seriousness that they become quiet, hesitant, or afraid to act.

例句

The young soldiers were overawed by the silence of the ancient cathedral.

年輕士兵們被那座古老大教堂的寂靜震懾住了。

passive: be overawed by + [imposing place or thing]

Cyrus tried not to feel overawed when he met the prime minister at the embassy.

Cyrus 在大使館見到首相時，努力不讓自己感到敬畏拘謹。

passive with 'when' clause showing the trigger

同義詞
  • intimidate

    more about fear than respect; overawe always keeps the awe element

  • daunt

    the task or challenge daunts; overawe is usually triggered by a person or place

  • cow

    stronger and more physical; cow implies bullying, overawe implies grandeur

反義詞

文法句型

overawe + somebody

be overawed by + something

用法筆記

Frequently passive (be/feel overawed by). The trigger of the awe is usually a powerful person, an imposing building, or a serious occasion — not a pleasant surprise.

常見錯誤

❌I was overawed by the beautiful sunset.
✅I was amazed by the beautiful sunset.
💡overawe implies feeling small or afraid, not simple wonder.
❌The teacher overawed the students with funny stories.
✅The teacher impressed the students with funny stories.
💡overawe never describes a pleasant or friendly effect.