Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Awestruck

adj.joyful, thoughtfulwarm

What it means

Overwhelmed by wonder and deep admiration.

Reach for it when describing a person whose response is visibly humbled by what they encounter

The children stood awestruck beneath the enormous observatory dome.

Choose between these

6
  • playful

    speechless

    the reaction leaves someone temporarily unable to respond

    not when Speechlessness can result from anger, fear, or confusion.

  • everyday

    amazed

    surprise is strong but uncomplicated

    not when A person can be amazed by a trick without respect or humility.

  • everyday

    stunned

    shock momentarily stops an ordinary response

    not when Stunned is neutral and often follows bad news.

  • warm

    dazzled

    brilliance, glamour, or skill overwhelms perception

    not when Dazzled can imply surface glamour and not lasting reverence.

  • formal

    reverent

    deep respect shapes quiet behavior

    not when Reverence can be deliberate and familiar rather than caused by sudden awe.

  • literary

    wonderstruck

    enchanted wonder suits poetic description

    not when Wonderstruck sounds fanciful and less solemn than awestruck.

Said against

3
  • unimpressed
  • indifferent
  • disdainful

It naturally appears in

3
  • stand awestruck

    Visitors stand awestruck before the restored ceiling.

  • left awestruck

    The first clear image from the telescope left the class awestruck.

  • utterly awestruck

    She was utterly awestruck by the orchestra's quiet final passage.