wow with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wow with" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be used informally to express amazement or admiration in a casual context, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "I was wowed with the stunning performance of the dancers."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The food doesn't wow with pyrotechnics; it is pleasing in its simplicity and execution.

The New York Times

And if I'm stuck for an idea I'll certainly pow wow with Shoals.

The New York Times

Lately, however, the events have replaced the "wow" with the "boring".

The New York Times

If 20 people witnessed it, then 20 people simultaneously formed the word "wow" with their mouths.

The Washington Post

So I thought, wow, with the technology now, you could actually do this properly for yourself".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To "wow" with Shakespeare, you have to quote the vrai chose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Wow them with substance, with service, with value.

HuffPost

Just take it easy, pow-wow with a pro, and watch out for debris!

Columbia University

It's possible that far from seeking a pow-wow with ET, he's after something else, misplaced during his long, strange trip through the parallel world of celebrity.

The Guardian - Music

MID-SUMMER POW-WOW, with the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, at the Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, (718) 347182718

The New York Times - Arts

Her journey of empowerment leads her all the way from the council estates of outer London to a pow-wow with secretary of state Barbara Castle (played with lip-smacking relish by Miranda Richardson).

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wow with" when you want to emphasize the surprising or impressive quality of something. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "impress with".

Common error

Avoid using "wow with" excessively in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more sophisticated and precise language to convey your message effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wow with" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action intended to impress or greatly please someone through a specific quality or attribute. Ludwig identifies its use in various contexts, suggesting it describes the act of creating a strong, positive impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wow with" is an acceptable, though not highly formal, phrase used to describe the act of impressing or amazing someone through a specific quality or action. Ludwig's analysis suggests it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of delight or surprise. While grammatically sound, alternatives like "impress with" or "amaze with" might be more suitable for formal writing. The key takeaway is to use "wow with" when aiming to highlight the impressive nature of something in a relatively informal or engaging manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impress someone with

Replaces "wow" with the more formal "impress", maintaining the preposition "with".

amaze someone with

Substitutes "wow" with "amaze", which has a similar meaning of causing wonder.

dazzle someone with

Replaces "wow" with "dazzle", emphasizing brilliance and impressiveness.

astonish someone with

Substitutes "wow" with "astonish", suggesting a stronger sense of surprise and wonder.

captivate someone with

Replaces "wow" with "captivate", highlighting the ability to hold someone's attention.

leave someone in awe with

Expresses the act of impressing someone to the point of admiration.

impress with magnificence

Focuses on the characteristic of the impressing element, highlighting a sense of grandeur and scale.

dominate by surprising actions

Expresses the action of surpassing by being impressive.

excite in a surprising way

Conveys an action of astonishing by showing the excitement that someone experienced.

win someone over with

Suggests gaining approval or support through impressive qualities or actions.

FAQs

How can I use "wow with" in a sentence?

You can use "wow with" to describe something that impresses or amazes someone. For example, "The chef aimed to wow the guests with his innovative dishes".

What can I say instead of "wow with"?

You can use alternatives like "impress someone with", "amaze someone with", or "dazzle someone with" depending on the context.

Is "wow with" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "wow with" is less formal. More standard alternatives would be to "impress with" or "amaze with".

Which is better, "wow with" or "impress with"?

"Impress with" is generally preferred in formal writing. "Wow with" is more appropriate for informal contexts where you want to emphasize a sense of surprise or excitement.