overwhelming awe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming awe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a profound sense of admiration or wonder, often in response to something impressive or beautiful. Example: "Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, I was filled with overwhelming awe at the vastness of the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So how do you monetise an intangible combination of excitement and trepidation sparked by the overwhelming awe of talking to the whole world?

The Guardian - Opinion

Pause for overwhelming awe.

Huffington Post

Mixed in with my feeling tired was an overwhelming awe.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is both overwhelming and awe inspiring to witness what people have been able to do, starting from the mobilization of what some would consider to be a very small subculture of society.

Huffington Post

An amateur is a force of nature, which is why a satisfying performance by an amateur is overwhelming and awe-inspiring, as seen in the 1930 silent film "People on Sunday" (which I discuss in this clip).

The New Yorker

If I were to imagine how I might have made, conceived the piece, I know for certain that the overwhelming excitement and awe would have driven me mad.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And we can only begin to image the overwhelming sense of awe that one might feel while experiencing something like this in real life.

Vice

One of my favorite things to do when I'm stoned is walk around Manhattan, listen to M83 specifically, "Graveyard Girl" or "Don't Save Us From the Flames" or "Kim and Jessie" or anything off of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming and look at the gigantic buildings around me with an overwhelming sense of awe.

Vice

One of my favourite things to do when I'm stoned is walk around Manhattan, listen to M83 specifically, "Graveyard Girl" or "Don't Save Us From the Flames" or "Kim and Jessie" or anything off of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming and look at the gigantic buildings around me with an overwhelming sense of awe.

Vice

The style of this Administration is to use overwhelming force — 'shock and awe.' But we get only one bite of the apple".

The New Yorker

Here, motives such as frustration at the failure to catch Osama bin Laden, the desire to use US military superiority to overwhelming effect ("shock and awe"), and interest in Iraqi oil – were mixed from the outset with a neocon agenda of spreading democracy, as an example to the whole region.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelming awe" to convey a strong sense of wonder mixed with respect or fear, typically in response to something grand, powerful, or beautiful. Consider the emotional impact you want to create; it's most effective when describing experiences that profoundly affect the observer.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming awe" to describe everyday or trivial situations. This phrase is best reserved for experiences that genuinely inspire a sense of grandeur or profound respect, otherwise it can sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming awe" functions as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" acts as an adjective intensifying the noun "awe". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English to express a profound sense of admiration or wonder.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming awe" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, although it is relatively rare. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys a profound sense of admiration and wonder, often in response to something impressive or beautiful. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts that genuinely inspire a sense of grandeur or deep respect, avoiding overuse in mundane situations. Alternatives such as "profound respect" or "intense amazement" can be used to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

great wonder

Highlights the feeling of amazement and curiosity.

profound astonishment

Like "great wonder", but focused on the surprise aspect.

astonishing admiration

Emphasizes the admiration aspect with a sense of surprise.

intense amazement

Stresses the strength of feeling.

extreme admiration

Similar to "astonishing admiration" but slightly more generic.

complete astonishment

Emphasizes the surprise and disbelief.

profound respect

Focuses more on the deep respect aspect rather than the awe.

utter fascination

Concentrates on the captivation aspect.

deep reverence

Implies a more solemn and respectful form of awe.

deep veneration

Highlights the respect and honor.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelming awe" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelming awe" to describe a feeling of profound respect and wonder in response to something impressive. For example: "She felt "overwhelming awe" when she saw the ancient ruins."

What's the difference between "overwhelming awe" and "great wonder"?

"Overwhelming awe" implies a stronger, more intense feeling of respect and sometimes fear mixed with wonder, while "great wonder" focuses more on the amazement and curiosity aspects.

What can I say instead of "overwhelming awe"?

You can use alternatives like "profound respect", "astonishing admiration", or "intense amazement" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was in overwhelming awe"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It expresses that you experienced a strong feeling of awe. For example: "I was in "overwhelming awe" of the Grand Canyon's vastness."