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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adore are reverence, revere, venerate, and worship. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When could revere be used to replace adore?

The words revere and adore can be used in similar contexts, but revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

When can reverence be used instead of adore?

While in some cases nearly identical to adore, 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

When would venerate be a good substitute for adore?

The meanings of venerate and adore largely overlap; however, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

When is worship a more appropriate choice than adore?

In some situations, the words worship and adore are roughly equivalent. However, worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.

worships their memory

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adore But enough fans adored it that HBO greenlit a second season in 2023 (which landed a few Emmy nominations), and now a third. Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025 His final appearance at Allianz Parque against Sporting Cristal in May was marked with the emotional presentation of a poster and a plaque, a goal and an assist, and a standing ovation from his adoring fans. Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Those more interested in a classic floral scent, however, will adore Gucci Bloom—a sophisticated blend of tuberose, jasmine, and Rangoon creeper. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 June 2025 From the seductive hum of being needed by someone the world adored. Rob Shuter, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for adore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adore
Verb
  • The two shared a loving hug before continuing the show.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
  • January’s energy is heightening your creative side and invites a playful, loving energy into your interactions.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Baseball fans, especially those who worship the New York Yankees, may want to contemplate a move to Florida.
    Madeleine Marr July 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
  • The religious display of the Lady of Guadalupe in lights at the factory, Maria’s prayer table, my own religious statues outside my home, and the plastic Virgin Mary in yards are merely means to the end — worshiping God and thanking him for our existence, salvation and his abundant mercy.
    Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • To read about the polymath was to marvel at how much he was venerated by the best and seemingly brightest.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • In the post, Ramaswamy said America has venerated mediocrity.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Book the garden room and enjoy breakfast each morning on your sunny private terrace.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • Depending on the season, beach lovers can snorkel, surf, swim with the dolphins or enjoy some whale watching.
    Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Do the accolades, likes, and shares compensate for the misallocation of our attention?
    Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Brunnera does not like summer heat and may not do well south of Zone 8.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Internationally aspirational with a presence in all the major markets, the house is revered for both its great value cuvées, and its prestigious Blanc de Blancs ‘Comtes de Champagne’ - one of the world’s best sparkling wines.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Two centuries after his downfall, Napoleon remains both revered and controversial in France -- but above all, unavoidable.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Both Bobrovsky and Tarasov are from Novokuznetsk, Russia, and Bobrovsky idolized Tarasov’s father, Vadim, growing up.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
  • In the late fifties and early sixties the Method was the rage, especially among the young actors of about Willy’s age, who all idolized Marlon Brando and would go on to transform American cinema in a few years: Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, and so on.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • But Pi is precociously enlightened, his innocence not a problem to be rectified but a quality to be reverenced.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
  • But Trump also reverenced the tough job Emmer has in keeping the GOP majority together, with which Emmer is all too familiar after the chaotic last two years.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adore. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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