overawe - definition, synonyms and pronunciation

Open English WordNet

subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)Synonyms: cowMore general aweMore specific buffalo

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O′ver·awe′ transitive verb [past tense & past participle Overawed; present participle & verbal noun Overawing.]

To awe exceedingly; to intimidate or subjugate or restrain by awe or great fear.

The king was present in person to overlook the magistrates, and overawe these subjects with the terror of his sword.— Edmund Spenser

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54