OVERAWE

overawe, cow

(verb) subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

overawe (third-person singular simple present overawes, present participle overawing, simple past and past participle overawed)

(transitive) To restrain, subdue, or control by awe; to cow. [from 16th c.]

Antonyms

• underwhelm

Source: Wiktionary

O`ver*awe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Overawed; p. pr. & vb. n. Overawing.]

Definition: To awe exceedingly; to subjugate or restrain by awe or great fear. The king was present in person to overlook the magistrates, and overawe these subjects with the terror of his sword. Spenser.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition