reverence

noun

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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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Synonyms for reverence

Synonyms: Verb

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 Tuesday morning in downtown Los Angeles began with quiet reverence. — Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2021 In the new plan, the 1930s Cenotaph would be treated with reverence. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 23 May 2021 Meltzer was affiliated with the Order of Nine Angles, a radical and violent sect centered on anti-Semitism, reverence of Adolf Hitler, and white supremacy. — Talia Lavin, The New Republic, 17 May 2021 The late rapper who blended whimsical wordplay with reverence for '70s funk as leader of the off-kilter hip-hop group Digital Underground, died at age 57 last month. — Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 2 May 2021 Each of these personalities should be welcomed and embraced, while approached in a different manner and with reverence. — Gregory Salsburg, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021 Gregory Jacobs, a rapper and producer known as Shock G who blended whimsical wordplay with reverence for ’70s funk as leader of the off-kilter Bay Area hip-hop group Digital Underground, was found dead April 22 at a hotel in Tampa. — Washington Post, 23 Apr. 2021 But even as a young ‘Canes fan, Parchment had a mutual reverence for rival Florida State. — Matt Murschel, orlandosentinel.com, 14 May 2021 In other words, a Saw reboot need not have any particular reverence for the series itself. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb A life cut short by unexpected catastrophe is reverenced. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, 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.