worship

verb wor·ship \ ˈwər-shəp also ˈwȯr- \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: worship in a Sentence

Definition of worship

worshipped also worshiped; worshipping also worshiping

transitive verb

1 : to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power

2 : to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

a celebrity worshipped by her fans

intransitive verb

: to perform or take part in worship or an act of worship

—

worshipper

or less commonly worshiper noun

See worship defined for English-language learners

Examples of worship in a Sentence

Many ancient cultures worshipped the sun and moon.
They worship at this temple.
I worship God in my own way.

Recent Examples of worship from the Web

Lovers of the Holy Cross traces its roots to the 17th century, when French missionary Bishop Pierre Lambert de la Motte formed a community of Vietnamese women who would live, worship and serve the people together.

— caitlin yoshiko kandil, latimes.com, "Young women seek a nun's life with a joyful Vietnamese order," 15 June 2018
Carmella was one of the original parishioners of St. Bernard Catholic Church and worshipped there regularly for 43 years.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 6/14," 14 June 2018
About 500 yards from the beach, two giant outcroppings rose from the deep—rocks that animist ancients might have worshipped as gods.

— jody rosen, Smithsonian, "This Secret Corner of California Is a Paradise for Lovers of Great Food and Top-Notch Wines," 14 June 2018
Prosecutors said the bombing attack on a mosque and an apartment complex in Garden City where Somali immigrants lived and worshiped was planned for the day after the election.

— judy l. thomas, kansascity, "Russian Facebook posts may have inspired militia in Kansas bombing plot, expert says," 10 June 2018
So Emerson and Brooks started slowly, their congregations worshiping together once every two months and on holidays.

— jill tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Black, white Oakland churches to merge into one," 2 June 2018
Steve spent multiple years worshipping Miranda like a loyal, lovesick puppy only to turn around and cheat on her?

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "10 Things About the Sex and the City Movie That Are Ridiculous—Even By SATC Standards," 30 May 2018
Amazing evening at @StAlbansAbbey for #ThyKingdomCome with @BishopCurry, @RevHayley, @BishopStAlbans, @mikepilav and 1000s gathered to pray and worship.

— megan friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Archbishop of Canterbury Gushed Over Bishop Michael Curry’s Royal Wedding Sermon," 20 May 2018
There was a time when such open disenchantment with the delirious nightly anthem would have been considered sacrilege in a town that worships baseball and its local traditions.

— dugan arnett, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Sweet Caroline’? To some fans, the longstanding tradition is no good (no good, no good)," 14 May 2018

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

First Known Use of worship

13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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worship Synonyms

Phrases

carry a torch for (or carry the torch for), fall for, lose one's heart (to);

Synonym Discussion of worship

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

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sire, sous

worship

noun

Definition of worship

1 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence

2 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual

3 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem

worship of the dollar

4 chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (such as magistrates and some mayors)

See worship defined for English-language learners

See worship defined for kids

Examples of worship in a Sentence

worship of gods and goddesses
Worship services are held daily.
the media's worship of celebrities

Recent Examples of worship from the Web

Religious discrimination towards homosexuals was and still is in some houses of worship perfectly acceptable.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 12 June 2018
The Phoenix Board of Adjustment overturned a prior city decision in April, allowing the dispensary to open near 16th Street and Glendale Avenue despite its proximity to multiple neighborhoods and two places of worship.

— jessica boehm, azcentral, "Phoenix neighbors sue volunteer city board over medical marijuana dispensary," 5 June 2018
The re-invigoration of downtown Kansas City hits another milestone this weekend with the opening of a new house of worship.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "Resurrection opens new Crossroads church that aims to be 'unafraid, raw, vulnerable'," 31 May 2018
Additionally, there are categories for school districts, nonprofits and houses of worship.

— jane stueckemann, Houston Chronicle, "New app helps highlight offerings in northwest Houston," 31 May 2018
Places of worship are allowed to employ armed security guards or law enforcement officers for protection.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Taking guns into Louisiana churches will soon be easier," 30 May 2018
The app can also find the nearest place of worship, explain how church weddings work and recite the Ten Commandments.

— The Economist, "Alexa, who is God? A new app aims to win over agnostics," 23 May 2018
Soloist Mary-Jo Joyce Performs ROCKVILLE — Jacob's Well Coffeehouse will feature Christian pop, rock and contemporary worship music by soloist Mary-Jo Joyce on Friday, June 1.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 21 May 2018
For example, the Salisbury Cathedral in particular left an outsize imprint on the way pre-Reformation Roman Catholic Britons prayed, shaping what’s known as the Sarum Rite or Sarum Use — the Salisbury method of worship.

— lily rothman, Time, "Meghan Markle Didn't Promise to 'Obey' Prince Harry in Her Vows. Her Decision Is Actually Part of a Long Tradition," 19 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of worship

Middle English worshipe worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being, from Old English weorthscipe worthiness, respect, from weorth worthy, worth + -scipe -ship

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

worship Synonyms

Synonyms

adulation, deification, hero worship, idolatry, idolization, worshipping (also worshiping);

Near Antonyms

condemnation, disapproval, disfavor, dislike, dismissal, disregard, hatred, loathing, scorn;

idealization, romanticization;

affection, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love;

appreciation, esteem, regard, respect;

approval;

WORSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

worship

noun

Definition of worship for English Language Learners

: the act of showing respect and love for a god especially by praying with other people who believe in the same god : the act of worshipping God or a god
: excessive admiration for someone

worship

verb

Definition of worship for English Language Learners

: to honor or respect (someone or something) as a god
: to show respect and love for God or for a god especially by praying, having religious services, etc.
: to love or honor (someone or something) very much or too much