Definition

Adjective: 1. Filled with or displaying awe: Describes a state of being profoundly affected by a sense of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder, typically caused by something majestic, powerful, or sublime.

Usage

The adjective "awestricken" describes a person's emotional state when they encounter something so impressive, vast, or terrifying that it inspires a powerful feeling of reverence, fear, and astonishment. It emphasizes being overwhelmed by this feeling.

Examples

• The tourists stood awestricken before the grandeur of the ancient pyramids.
• She was awestricken by the powerful performance of the orchestra.
• The awestricken crowd watched as the space shuttle launched into the sky.

Advanced Usage

• "awestricken by": This is the most common construction, used to specify the cause of the awe.
  • He was utterly awestricken by the vastness of the canyon.
• "awestricken silence": A common collocation describing a quietness caused by awe.
  • A hushed, awestricken silence fell over the room as the speaker began.

Variants and Related Words

• Awestruck (adjective): A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage.
  • The awestruck children gazed at the fireworks.
• Awe (noun): The feeling itself.
  • They gazed in awe at the masterpiece.
• Awe-inspiring (adjective): Describing something that causes awe.
  • The view from the summit was awe-inspiring.

Synonyms

• Thunderstruck: Strongly astonished or amazed.
• Overawed: Impressed so much as to be silent or subdued.
• Wonderstruck: Filled with wonder.
• Reverent: Feeling or showing deep respect.

Antonyms

• Unimpressed: Not feeling admiration or respect.
• Blasé: Unimpressed or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often.
• Disdainful: Showing contempt or lack of respect.

Adjective

1. having or showing a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder and dread
   • stood in awed silence before the shrine
   • in grim despair and awestruck wonder