awestruck

9 6.2

Feeling great wonder and respect, often silent

adjective
/ˈɔːstrʌk/

: asombrado

The little boy hovered in the middle of the comfortable little parlor, looking awestruck and uncertain.

But it's done in such a masterful way that you can't help but be awestruck by it.

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Examples

When I saw the breathtaking view from the mountaintop, I was completely awestruck by its beauty.
On each face, he saw a variant of the same expression: awestruck, fearful, uncomprehending wonder.

Fiction book (2002)
So we're not the first to feel awestruck at the remarkable potential of the age.
I just watched you there, awestruck by your gift.

I Still Believe (2020)
Every time I set foot in this place, I'm awestruck.

Get Crazy (1983)
The first time I heard Sam's voice... I was a little bit awestruck.

Sam Smith: Dreams Come True (2015)
Alicia watched, awestruck, admiring the elfwoman's courage even as she recognized her futility.

Fiction book (1992)
I paused to gaze down at the faces before me: they were awestruck, panicky, disgusted, violent, enraptured.

Fiction book (1990)
As the fireworks lit up the sky, the crowd stood awestruck, mesmerized by the colorful display.
The children were awestruck when they visited the ancient ruins and learned about their history.

Synonyms

impressed

vsawestruck

542 2.8

Feeling respect for someone because of their skill or quality

adds stronger wonder and occasional fear to that respectful admiration

surprised

vsawestruck

357 1.0

Feeling sudden wonder when something unexpected happens

is deeper and more reverent, often including respect and fear

amazed

vsawestruck

138 1.0

Very surprised in a way that shows wonder

is similar but leans more toward calm reverence than plain shock

astonished

vsawestruck

21 2.7

Feeling very surprised by something unexpected or hard to believe

introduces solemn respect and possible fear beyond mere surprise

flabbergasted

vsawestruck

9 6.7

Very surprised and unable to speak

shares speechless reaction but emphasizes reverent admiration rather than only shock

astounded

vsawestruck

7 3.8

Very surprised and unable to believe what happened

shares intensity but adds a quieter, respectful sense of awe

thunderstruck

vsawestruck

5 7.0

Very surprised and unable to speak or move

retains immobility but implies lasting wonder and respectful awe

dumbstruck

vsawestruck

5 6.5

So shocked that you cannot speak

may be silent too but holds a more solemn, reverent feeling

enthralled

vsawestruck

3 6.9

Very interested and full of wonder, unable to look away

shifts the focus toward serious reverence and respectful wonder

awed

vsawestruck

1 3.7

Feeling deep wonder and respect, sometimes a little afraid

leans more toward an intense, emotional mixture of reverence and fear

entranced

vsawestruck

1 5.8

Amazed and very happy so you cannot look away

adds solemn respect and possible fear alongside that captivated attention

wonder-struck

vsawestruck

1 7.2

Feeling very amazed by something beautiful or strange

introduces more solemn respect and possible fear to that amazement

gobsmacked

vsawestruck

1 8.6

Very surprised and unable to speak

keeps strong astonishment but adds solemn respect and awe

awestricken

vsawestruck

8.6

Feeling great wonder and respect when seeing something impressive

is the established form but shares identical reverent wonder and fear mix

transfixed

vsawestruck

6.7

Unable to look away and to move because you feel very surprised or amazed

adds a clearer tone of solemn respect and awed reverence to that stillness

overawed

vsawestruck

7.2

Feeling very impressed and a little afraid when you see something important

keeps intimidation but stresses a stronger sense of reverent wonder

wonderstruck

vsawestruck

6.0

Feeling surprised and full of admiration when you see something beautiful or amazing

adds a deeper sense of reverence and awe to that admiration

dazzled

vsawestruck

4.2

Very impressed and unable to speak because something is beautiful or amazing

includes a respectful and sometimes fearful awe beyond mere admiration

astonied

vsawestruck

Archaic

9.9

Feeling very surprised and unable to speak or move

contains more respectful wonder and less plain, raw shock

Antonyms

unimpressed

14 4.0

Not thinking something is good or interesting

How Awed

awestruck

9 6.2

awed

1 3.7

Surface Forms

awestruck positive

Morphology

awestruck = awe + struck (transparent) = awe + struck

The adjective is directly interpretable as '(literally) struck by awe'; the components map clearly onto the overall meaning.

Etymology

Awestruck joins awe and struck. Think of being 'struck' or suddenly 'hit' by awe, an old word for a strong mix of 'fear' and 'wonder', so awestruck means suddenly full of deep respect, wonder, and a little fear.