as in respectful
formal
showing a lot of respect
a reverent crowd of worshippers They used a reverent tone of voice when speaking about their father.
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Recent Examples of reverent
The magazine saw itself as literary but not self-serious; if the stereotypical National Geographic story was a walk through the jungle recounted in hushed, awed tones, its Outside equivalent was a little dustier, wilder, and less reverent.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
The cyberpunk chaos spirals into shoot-outs with telekinesis and giant mutant babies, all of it spectacular and ingrained in reverent filmmakers’ memories.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Of course, Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron is still a reverent work, leaving out a few messier strands of the man’s life that Miyazaki-heads might be curious about.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024
Taylor’s casket, covered with an American flag, was taken through reverent procession in Bell County on May 13 from Temple to the funeral home in Copperas Cove, KXXV reported.
—Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reverent
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
The cyberpunk chaos spirals into shoot-outs with telekinesis and giant mutant babies, all of it spectacular and ingrained in reverent filmmakers’ memories.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Of course, Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron is still a reverent work, leaving out a few messier strands of the man’s life that Miyazaki-heads might be curious about.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024
Taylor’s casket, covered with an American flag, was taken through reverent procession in Bell County on May 13 from Temple to the funeral home in Copperas Cove, KXXV reported.
—Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reverent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverent
Adjective
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European accounts show that the foreigners weren’t just dependent on mestres for help navigating life in Kongo but also respectful of their abilities and manners.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
12 July 2025
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Like the series, Mask of the Phantasm does a nice job of catering both to kids and adults — this isn’t as intense as the Christopher Nolan films or as kinky as the Tim Burton movies, but it’s smartly written and respectful about what makes the Dark Knight such an evergreen character.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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On Wednesday morning, the secretary-general followed up with a photo op alongside Trump; his language during the press conference was, if anything, even more worshipful.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
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Conway, an Irishman like Fennell, rides a motorbike, inspires worshipful devotion in his crew, and can free-dive to extraordinary depths.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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But for now, gamers aren’t necessarily giving the AI that is being used reverential treatment.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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To his reverential student, Fermi confided a regret.—
William J. Broad,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Those healthy enough were put through a daily regimen of religious education and physical schooling intended to train them to be pious and obedient.—
Ann Foster,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 2025
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Moyers’ preacher-like delivery and emphasis on high moral standards in his commentaries led some people to criticize him as being a pious scold.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Regardless of region, a memorable melody remains the holy grail.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
4 July 2025
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On paper, unlimited PTO sounds like the holy grail of benefits a company can offer its employees—the ability to take endless vacations and avoid burnout.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Black Americans ranked more devout in each category than white Americans and Hispanic Americans, according to the poll.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
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Vance Boelter, the suspect in the attack, has been described as a devout Christian who has attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies, according to The Associated Press.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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The Senate parliamentarian spiked the part of the proposal that would exempt religious institutions from the tax, which, Fansmith says, was part of an effort to exempt the very conservative Hillsdale College from the endowment tax.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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At the end of the day students from a religious order went back to the houses of their communities where professors from the order also lived and dined and prayed with them.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reverent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverent. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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