worshipful

adjective

wor·​ship·​ful ˈwər-shəp-fəl How to pronounce worshipful (audio)
 also  ˈwȯr-
1
a
archaic : notable, distinguished
b
chiefly British
used as a title for various persons or groups of rank or distinction
2
: giving or expressing worship or veneration
worshipfully
ˈwər-shəp-fə-lē How to pronounce worshipful (audio)
 also  ˈwȯr-
adverb
worshipfulness noun

Examples of worshipful in a Sentence

She was greeted by thousands of worshipful fans. a movie fan's worshipful stare upon finally meeting her idol
Recent Examples on the Web Now Emily refuses the worshipful TV instinct to make everything about the protagonist's emotional wound. Darren Franich, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2023 But in carefully refusing to inflict physical harm on Andrew, Eric and Wen, the intruders treat their prisoners with an eerie, worshipful reverence. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2023 This would be a worshipful obituary, were the subject not still, thankfully, very much with us. John Anderson, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023 Instead, the most worshipful filmmakers indulge King’s own real-world politics — especially when paying tribute to The Dead Zone and Children of the Corn. Armond White, National Review, 18 Aug. 2023 In this musical, Jesus is a near-silent cypher, swept along in the feverish mania of worshipful crowds who ultimately turn on their superstar. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2023 The worshipful film commits just about every sin in the Big Book of Biopics. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2023 If Balanchine abused his position, then why did seemingly all of his dancers express worshipful respect for him decades after his death? Alex Vadukul, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2023 That format — a small and worshipful group, a self-aggrandizing legend, and an insecure guinea pig selected for public exposure — is the perfect showcase of sadism and self-revelation. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worshipful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "deserving honor or respect, of noble character, worthy of veneration," from wurðscip, worschip "honor, esteem, renown, veneration, rank" + -ful -ful entry 1 — more at worship entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of worshipful was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near worshipful

Cite this Entry

“Worshipful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worshipful. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

worshipful

adjective
wor·​ship·​ful ˈwər-shəp-fəl How to pronounce worshipful (audio)
: giving worship

More from Merriam-Webster on worshipful

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