The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DREADING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
R
E
A
D
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result DREADING
- Not looking forward to start of dance lesson, say
- In awe of despotic leader at southern English town
- Really not looking forward to start of driving lesson
- Worrying about daughter going to university
- Apprehensive about many a Berkshire town
- Daughter studying with some apprehension
- Apprehensive about daughter going to Berkshire town
- Worrying about study when there’s ambient sound
- Not looking forward to daughter going to university
- Getting cold feet about degree that must be got by studying
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "In awe of" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in awe of = dreading.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DREADING mean?
DREADING verb- To fear greatly.
- To anticipate with fear.
- To be in dread, or great fear.
- To style (the hair) into dreadlocks.