Overawed

To be filled with a mixed feeling of reverence, respect, and fear, often resulting in a sense of humility and diminished self-assurance. It implies being impressed to a degree that causes hesitation, timidity, or a feeling of being overwhelmed by the significance, power, or majesty of something or someone. The feeling arises from perceiving something as being far superior in rank, ability, or grandeur, leading to a temporary silencing of one's own thoughts and opinions.

Overawed meaning with examples

• Standing before the ancient pyramids of Giza, she felt completely Overawed by their colossal size and the weight of history they represented, finding herself unable to speak for several minutes.
• The young musician was clearly Overawed when sharing the stage with his idol, a legendary guitarist whose skill he had long admired, causing him to fumble the opening chords of his solo.
• During the inauguration ceremony, citizens were Overawed by the sheer magnitude of the event and the presence of numerous dignitaries from around the world, which made it feel like a dream.
• He was Overawed by the brilliance of the scientific discovery presented at the conference, recognizing its potential to revolutionize the field and feeling a sense of his own limitations.