reverence

noun rev·er·ence \ ˈrev-rən(t)s , ˈre-və- ; ˈre-vərn(t)s \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

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Examples: reverence in a Sentence

Definition of reverence

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

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Examples of reverence in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of reverence from the Web

While some might roll their eyes at those voodoo scenes, the Mardi Gras Indian elements are handled with suitable reverence that help make a case for the decision to re-set the series in New Orleans (other than the obvious tax breaks).

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "With 'Cloak & Dagger,' New Orleans gets Marvel superheroes to call its own," 1 June 2018
President Donald Trump and Robert Mueller may be contemporaries but are temperamental opposites, divided most deeply by their respective contempt and reverence for the institutions of US government.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Polar opposites Trump and Mueller barrel toward a showdown," 30 May 2018
From the opening segment of this season’s Dissect, Cuchna approaches the enigma of Frank Ocean with curiosity and reverence.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Is It Futile to 'Dissect' Frank Ocean's Work?," 17 May 2018
We are united in reverence for the courage and selflessness for the men and women who pay the ultimate price.

— jessica anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Police officers, firefighters remembered at annual 'Fallen Heroes' ceremony," 5 May 2018
But the narrative that opposition to the reconstruction is being driven only by an overblown reverence for Bill Bowerman and Steve Prefontaine is knee jerk and, wrong.

— OregonLive.com, "Comment about opponents of Hayward reconstruction is unfair: Oregon track & field rundown," 29 Apr. 2018
The Krafts remain beloved inside American soccer’s ivory towers, but as the seasons go by—and as other MLS teams make progress—that reverence become tougher to justify.

— grant wahl and brian straus, SI.com, "2018 MLS Ambition Rankings: Which Clubs Raise the Bar Highest as the League Grows?," 23 Apr. 2018
So, my intention is always to serve the music with as much creativity, imagination, wit, raw emotion and reverence as my being can muster.

— bruce whiting, idahostatesman, "Gene Harris Jazz Festival kicks off with Wednesday concert | Idaho Statesman," 2 Apr. 2018
She is often seen carrying texts of Mr. Kim’s speeches or standing in the background, smiling and even frolicking, while other senior grim-faced officials stand close to Mr. Kim in reverence and fear.

— choe sang-hun, New York Times, "Kim Jong-un’s Influential Sister to Visit South Korea for Olympic Ceremony," 7 Feb. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of reverence

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverentia, from reverent-, reverens "respectful, reverent" + -ia ¹-ia

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Synonym Discussion of reverence

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

reverence

verb rev·er·ence \ ˈrev-rən(t)s , ˈre-və- ; ˈre-vərn(t)s \

Definition of reverence

reverenced; reverencing

transitive verb

: to regard or treat with reverence

—

reverencer

noun

Examples of reverence in a Sentence

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 of reverence from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of reverence

Middle English reverencen, derivative of reverence reverence

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

reverence Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of reverence

revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.