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overawe

American  
[oh-ver-aw] / ˌoʊ vərˈɔ /

verb (used with object)

overawed, overawing

  1. to restrain or subdue by inspiring awe; intimidate.

    He often uses that imperious scowl to overawe his subordinates.
overawe British  
/ ˌəʊvərˈɔː /

verb

  1. (tr) to subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of overawe

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + awe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Overawe, ō-vėr-aw′, v.t. to restrain by fear or by superior influence.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.