Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Neither feeling nor showing respect: Describes a person or attitude that lacks respect or reverence, often appearing bold or insolent.
   • Devoid of any feeling of awe or reverence: Describes a state of being unimpressed by or indifferent to things typically considered majestic, powerful, or sacred.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The aweless critic dismissed the ancient masterpiece as trivial. (The critic, showing no reverence, dismissed the ancient masterpiece as trivial.)
  • His aweless attitude towards authority often got him into trouble. (His disrespectful attitude towards authority often got him into trouble.)
  • Standing before the vast canyon, she felt strangely aweless. (Standing before the vast canyon, she felt strangely devoid of awe.)

Advanced Usage

• Literary/Formal Context: "Aweless" is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a profound lack of reverence.
  • The tyrant ruled with an aweless heart, fearing neither god nor man.
• Describing Places or Atmospheres: It can sometimes describe environments that fail to inspire awe.
  • The aweless, utilitarian design of the building left visitors cold.

Variants and Related Words

• Awe (n): A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.
• Awesome (adj): Extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring awe. (Note: In informal use, it means very good.)
• Awed (adj): Filled with awe.
• Awelessness (n): The state or quality of being aweless.

Synonyms

• Disrespectful: Showing a lack of respect or courtesy.
• Irreverent: Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.
• Undaunted: Not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment. (This synonym relates more to the "fearless" aspect implied by a lack of awe.)
• Impertinent: Not showing proper respect; rude.

Antonyms

• Awestruck: Filled with or revealing awe.
• Reverent: Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
• Respectful: Feeling or showing deference and respect.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To hold in awe: To regard someone or something with great respect and wonder, often mixed with fear. (This is the opposite state of being "aweless".)
  • The villagers held the old sage in awe.

Adjective

1. neither feeling nor showing respect
2. devoid of any feeling of awe or reverence