awe
A feeling of great wonder and respect, sometimes mixed with a little fear.
awe in a sentence
- We stared in awe at the enormous whale gliding beneath our boat.
- The children gazed up in awe at the enormous rocket, amazed by its towering size.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to awe?
- Aindifference
- Bwonder
- Ccontempt
Show the answer
B: wonder. The other three mean the opposite of awe.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to awe?
- Aamazement
- Bwonder
- Ccontempt
- Drespect
Show the answer
C: contempt. The other three mean nearly the same as awe.
Words that mean something similar
wonder, amazement, respect
Words that mean the opposite
contempt, indifference
More words about emotions & feelings
- bemused: Puzzled and unsure about what is going on.
- bewitch: To put a magic spell on someone, or to completely charm them.
- blissful: Completely and perfectly happy.
- brood: To keep thinking sadly or angrily about something.
- burden: A heavy load to carry, or a worry that weighs on your mind.
- captivate: To hold someone's attention completely because they find something wonderful.
- cherish: To love and care for something very much.
- composed: Calm and in control of your feelings.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test