reverence

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

|Updated on: 10 Jul 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

Star Wars arguably has movie land’s largest and most passionate fan base, as loyalists heap lavish praise and reverence on iconic characters such as Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

— allison klein, Washington Post, "Actor who played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars says the hate for his character almost led him to suicide," 5 July 2018
Serena Joy’s change of attitude is reflective of her feelings for the baby and general reverence for the idea of motherhood, not from any admittance of June’s humanity or acknowledgement of the injustices June has endured.

— rena gross, Billboard, "'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 2, Episode 12 Recap: 15 Reactions to 'Postpartum'," 4 July 2018
The other two featured giants, while less overtly regal in their dress and demeanor, command reverence and attention in their own way.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "For Hundreds of Years, Papier-Mâché Has Lent a Surreal Face to Catalan Culture," 3 July 2018
For whatever bad blood is supposed to exist between the Eagles and the Cowboys because of their rivalry, it has never interfered with Ertz’s reverence for Witten.

— zach berman, Philly.com, "Why a Jason Witten jersey is so meaningful to Eagles' Zach Ertz," 2 June 2018
Kanye has long spoken of the women in his life with equal parts reverence and disdain.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Trumpian Dissonance of Kanye West's ‘Violent Crimes’," 1 June 2018
Bob Cato, Boy Scout flag chairman, said the flag-planting exercise is meant to teach respect and reverence.

— dan klepal, ajc, "Metro youths continue patriotic tradition on Memorial Day weekend," 27 May 2018
Mike Easton’s reverence of pasta is manifested in every bowl.

— where chefs eat, Time, "America's Top Chefs Recommend Their Favorite Restaurants," 2 Apr. 2018
Ernie Houdashell, a Randall County, Texas, judge who coordinated the donation said the memorial will treat the relic with reverence.

— Washington Post, "Piece of sunken USS Arizona heading to Texas war memorial," 22 June 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.