What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overimpress
Example
She tried to overimpress her boss by taking on more work than she could handle. [overimpress: verb]
Example
His constant bragging about his accomplishments only served to overimpress his colleagues. [overimpress: verb]
overawe
Example
The sight of the towering mountain range overawed the hikers. [overawed: past tense]
Example
The coach's stern demeanor overawed the players into silence. [overawed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overawe is more commonly used than overimpress in everyday language. Overawe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overimpress is less common and may be considered informal or colloquial.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overimpress and overawe?
While overawe can be used in both formal and informal contexts, overimpress is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.