懾 (shè) - to fear & to be awed

懾Tone 4

shè ｜ 21 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

懾 · shè

to fear;

to be awed;

to intimidate;

to terrify;

to daunt

to fearto be awedto intimidate

Usage highlights

to intimidateto be awestruckto be frightenedto be terrifiedto be shocked and in aweto be overawed

Synonyms

  • 惧— to fear; to be afraid
  • 畏— to fear; to dread
  • 吓— to frighten; to scare
  • 震— to shock; to astonish

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The enemy was intimidated by our might (敌人被我们的威势所慑).
  • He was awed into silence (他被慑得说不出话来).
  • The government tried to intimidate the press (政府试图慑服新闻界).
  • Her stern gaze daunted the children (她严厉的目光慑住了孩子们).

Collocations

  • to intimidate(威慑)
  • to be awestruck(慑服)
  • to be frightened(慑惧)
  • to be terrified(慑怖)
  • to be shocked and in awe(震慑)
  • to be overawed(慑伏)

Idioms

  • To shock and awe(震慑人心)
  • To be intimidated by power(慑于威势)
  • To be awed into submission(慑服而归)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 懾 carries a strong connotation of psychological pressure and fear induced by authority, power, or overwhelming presence.
  • It is often used in contexts involving military, legal, or hierarchical power dynamics where one party exerts control through fear.
  • In classical texts, it appears in descriptions of battlefields, legal proceedings, and encounters with formidable natural forces or rulers.

FAQ