Synonyms of adore

adore

verb

ə-ˈdȯr 

1

as in to love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for

an attentive, solicitous husband who clearly adores his wife

Synonyms & Similar Words

• love
• cherish
• fall for
• carry the torch (for)
• worship
• idolize
• carry a torch (for)
• idealize
• revere
• lose one's heart (to)
• adulate
• venerate
• reverence
• canonize
• deify
• delight (in)
• dote (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• dislike
• antagonize
• displease
• abominate
• disapprove (of)
• execrate
• revolt
• repel
• turn off
• sicken
• disgust
• repulse
• disfavor
• nauseate

2

as in to like

to love or admire too much

adores her older sister so much that she cannot see her considerable faults

Synonyms & Similar Words

• like
• worship
• idolize
• revere
• appreciate
• prefer
• hero-worship
• cherish
• adulate
• dote (on)
• regard
• deify
• canonize
• treasure
• respect
• favor
• value
• fancy
• venerate
• prize
• approve
• esteem
• endorse
• support
• hallow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• dislike
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• disdain
• abominate
• disparage
• put down
• belittle
• deprecate
• misprize

3

as in to venerate

to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power

the Roman soldier was beheaded for adoring the Christian god

Synonyms & Similar Words

• venerate
• worship
• revere
• reverence
• admire
• love
• honor
• praise
• respect
• glorify
• deify
• regard
• please
• exalt
• dignify
• extol
• delight
• laud
• gratify
• lionize
• magnify
• satisfy
• apotheosize
• canonize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• violate
• desecrate
• blaspheme
• offend
• ridicule
• insult
• scorn
• profane
• outrage
• slight
• dishonor
• displease
• disparage
• disrespect
• affront
• libel
• smear
• pique
• defame
• slander
• malign
• slur

4

as in to enjoy

to take pleasure in

I adore those earrings—wherever did you get them?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enjoy
• love
• like
• savor
• relish
• admire
• rejoice (in)
• delight (in)
• get off (on)
• take to
• appreciate
• fancy
• go for
• revel (in)
• revere
• get a kick out of
• dig
• groove (on)
• have a soft spot for
• prefer
• venerate
• treasure
• cherish
• be partial to
• worship
• drink (in)
• value
• prize
• idolize
• cotton (to)
• feast (on)
• devour
• eat (up)
• dote (on)
• indulge (in)
• favor
• wallow (in)
• luxuriate (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• dislike
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• despise
• condemn
• abominate
• scorn

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

Recent Examples of adore

Stray cats that live outside of Landrum Academic Center and are welcomed, fed and adored by students and staff. —Stephen Wilder, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2026

In a speech to a crowded bar of adoring young Republicans, Abbott warned of a difficult road ahead. —Karen Brooks Harper austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026

The woman who died in a trailer home fire last week was a loving mother, an adoring grandmother, a supportive sister and a lifelong friend, those who knew her best said. —Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026