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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 This would be a move that Royals fans would adore as Pasquantino is a fan favorite at Kauffman Stadium and has been a key piece in keeping the small offense of the Royals alive this season. Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 But in the two centuries since, the city has come to adore its famous former resident. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025 Travelers adored spots like Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel on the Amalfi Coast (No. 9) for its own fantastic water views, and even more spectacular history thanks to its past as a 13th-century convent. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025 His face was printed on lunch boxes, cereal boxes and posters that hung on the bedroom walls of his adoring fans. CBS News, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for adore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adore
Verb
  • But true Leonard fans will love the heavily detailed account, with page after page of facts about the author’s 45 books, countless movie scripts and short stories.
    Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • Laren loves being creative and often spends her time drawing and expressing herself through art.
    MARE Staff, Boston Herald, 13 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
  • In the post, Ramaswamy said America has venerated mediocrity.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Buckingham Palace has confirmed that President Donald Trump will enjoy an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 14 July 2025
  • No other female actor in south has ever enjoyed the name and fame as her.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Deepen Relationships Beyond Likes One of the biggest mistakes is hoarding digital connections—mass-adding people on LinkedIn, liking posts and then vanishing.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The park is also known for its beautiful beach area with picnic tables and grills, where groups like to settle in for the day on weekends.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • My parents revered her not just as an author, but an origin point: the mother of a genre, the teenage girl who changed literature forever.
    Daphne Woolsoncroft, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • The music itself might not be that remarkable, nor will it be remembered for big hits, but it will likely be revered for taking big emotional swings.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The 32-year-old Powell grew up in San Diego idolizing both Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.
    Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • Sun forward Tina Charles grew up idolizing the Shock dynasty, especially legendary forwards Cheryl Ford and Swin Cash.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 3 July 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 18 Jul. 2025.

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