reverence

noun

rev·er·ence | \ ˈrev-rən(t)s

, ˈre-və-; ˈre-vərn(t)s\

Definition of reverence

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : honor or respect felt or shown : deference especially : profound adoring awed respect

2 : a gesture of respect (such as a bow)

3 : the state of being revered

4 : one held in reverence —used as a title for a clergyman

reverence

verb

rev·er·ence | \ ˈrev-rən(t)s

, ˈre-və-; ˈre-vərn(t)s\

reverenced; reverencing

Definition of reverence (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to regard or treat with reverence

Other Words from reverence Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about reverence

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Choose the Right Synonym for reverence

Noun

honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition. the nomination is an honor homage adds the implication of accompanying praise. paying homage to Shakespeare reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe. great reverence for my father deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence. showed no deference to their elders

Verb

revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling. a professor revered by her students 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 venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age. heroes still venerated worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony. worships their memory adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment. we adored our doctor

Examples of reverence in a Sentence

Noun

The national pickle dish, kimchi, is held in such reverence that Seoul boasts a museum devoted entirely to its 160 different varieties. — The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices, & Flavorings, 1992 Reverence for or worship of the dead is found in all societies, because belief in life after death is universal. — World Religions, 1983 He took the command of this small party at once—the little girl and the little boy following him about with great reverence at such times as he condescended to sport with them. — William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1848 Her poems are treated with reverence by other poets. Their religion has a deep reverence for nature.

Verb

Only acquaintance with the great models of antiquity moves men to love and reverence the great authors of their own time … — John Clive, Not By Fact Alone, 1989 It is our most fundamental political document, reverenced by all, the supposed cement of our society, yet it is read by few and understood by fewer still. — David M. Kennedy, New York Times Book Review, 14 Sept. 1986 None of us like mediocrity, but we all reverence perfection. — Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880 devotees coming to reverence their god

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Lorde is jubilant, the movement and power of her words captured with palpable reverence and affection in JEB’s print. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Lesbian ‘Propagandist’ Who Documented a Movement," 19 June 2019 Brandon Dixon sometimes feels a bit of reverence for future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera when watching him from the on deck circle. — Greg Levinsky, Detroit Free Press, "New Detroit Tiger 'can't even imagine' hitting as many HRs as Miggy," 15 June 2019 Who would have ever dreamed that television would one day be spoken of with such unadulterated reverence by Meryl freaking Streep? — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "‘I Like to Watch’ explores TV as, well, just great," 14 June 2019 Newman: Annoying, but also perhaps a reverence that Rockies fans can aspire to. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "Kiz vs. Newman: Should the Rockies ban Cubs fans from Coors Field?," 10 June 2019 Add ex-New York City firefighter and respect and admiration swells into reverence. — (irv Erdos), San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Couple one of San Diego’s greatest treasures," 9 June 2019 My father enjoyed enormous reverence for ill health. — Lynn Freed, Harper's magazine, "We Were So Happy Then," 10 Mar. 2019 Paul Rosene goes about his work in white gloves, both a necessary precaution and a nod of reverence for the musical craft that has come to define much of his life. — Lisa Maria Garza, orlandosentinel.com, "For some, handbells are a passion and not just for churches anymore," 6 June 2019 The sweep of the interiors, the darkness of its corners, and the reverence of it all, was impossible even for young children to ignore. — Monique Valeris, ELLE Decor, "Top Designers on What Notre-Dame Means to Them," 17 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

A life cut short by unexpected catastrophe is reverenced. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Jessie Homer French at Various Small Fires: In death, she finds life," 6 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reverence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.