Definition of adorenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adore are reverence, revere, venerate, and worship. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When could revere be used to replace adore?

The words revere and adore can be used in similar contexts, but revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

When can reverence be used instead of adore?

While in some cases nearly identical to adore, reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring.

reverenced the academy's code of honor

When would venerate be a good substitute for adore?

The meanings of venerate and adore largely overlap; however, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

When is worship a more appropriate choice than adore?

In some situations, the words worship and adore are roughly equivalent. However, worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.

worships their memory

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adore Over eons of mythmaking, the 13th century bandit Robin Hood has evolved from a scamp adored by King Henry VIII to a symbol of sticking it to the rich. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 He is backed by a squad of some of the best players in every position, many of them ten or even fifteen years younger, all of whom admire and adore him. Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 17 June 2026 On top of that, Thibodeau was the son of a Connecticut purchasing agent who adored the Knicks, especially the two championship teams from the Red Holzman era. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 June 2026 This series feels like the ultimate fan-service spinoff, since Yellowstone fans seem to adore the Beth/Rip romance. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adore
Verb
  • Our editors love this multi-styling tool, which dries hair quickly and creates a variety of styles, from fluffy curls to sleek straight tresses.
    Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 27 June 2026
  • On weekly trips for groceries, their daughter Fei and son Khai love to snack on free samples and explore the aisles.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • At issue today is whether or not liking social media posts is an angerable offence on a reality television program.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 June 2026
  • Cooley would also like to produce an art book of his favorite photos from the project.
    Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a monastery with emblematic golden domes, is venerated by both the Russian and Ukrainian wings of the Orthodox Church as one of their most important spiritual centers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • Olivier was venerated as a Shakespearean actor, playing many iconic protagonists in London including Hamlet, Henry V, Macbeth and, controversially, Othello.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • India’s government, which has long leveraged a hard line on Pakistan for domestic political advantage, enjoyed a rally-around-the-flag effect that gave it a useful boost one year after a worse-than-expected performance in national elections.
    Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 2026
  • Away from basketball, the two players enjoy plenty of interests.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Quite literally worshipped by some extreme members of society.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Few foods occupy a space as unique as instant noodles, simultaneously worshipped as a junk food treat and a reliable staple for millions of people around the world.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Shazeer is widely revered as one of the key architects of the modern generative AI boom.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 23 June 2026
  • Though Greenspan was revered among Wall Streeters at the time, Grant’s critical review of Greenspan’s legacy warned of the imbalances and bubbles that were forming in equities and debt—years before the Great Recession that was to come.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Carmy vowed to get the restaurant out of debt before savoring some soul-searching and crafting a new recipe for success.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • Instead, Riley gets to savor the taste of vindication.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Fans, who never had a chance to cheer Les Grenadiers on soccer’s biggest stage, have had to decide where their loyalties will lie while players who perhaps grew up idolizing the team must now convince themselves their idols can be beaten.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
  • May has two young daughters who, like many girls, idolize Murphy.
    Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adore. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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