adore 1 of 3

Definition of adorenext
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adoring

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adjective

adoring

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verb (2)

present participle of adore
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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
Verb
Logan’s script seems intent on making the case that Michael was simply a big kid, frequently cutting to him leafing through his beloved Peter Pan books, dreaming that Neverland is a real place, adoring animals (not his pets! Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026 Presidents are usually removed from voters, separated by layers of security and surrounded by adoring subordinates. Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Having a constant loving, happy, and adoring presence makes Kirk’s solo road trips feel far from lonely. Outside Online, 29 Aug. 2024 In Australia, where Abacus sold the rights to SBS, the critical reception was similarly adoring, and Acorn TV has rights in the U.S. and Canada. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 July 2024
Verb
But Reef is also five years sober from a destructive heroin addiction that the adoring public thankfully is unaware of. Josh Spiegel, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026 As a beautiful, palpably anxious bride, Camila Morrone’s Rachel, walks down the aisle to her adoring groom, Nicky (Adam DiMarco), the sound of labored breathing nearly drowns out the music. Judy Berman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adore
Adjective
  • All three writers turned loving, humorous, piercing gazes on a particular place, exploring, through cycles of plays, the rich humanity and the grave historical wounds of its inhabitants.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Despite being presented as a loving father, Hank was revealed at the end of Season 1 to be a ruthless, pre-war Vault-Tec executive who is responsible for the nuclear destruction of Shady Sands.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The piece is affectionate, admiring, and shamelessly tilted in his favor.
    Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Breed experts say goldendoodles are among the most social and affectionate dog breeds available.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That topic was debated at CinemaCon last week, where Cruise described his new venture Digger to a worshipful audience.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Carpenter was similarly worshipful of the star, especially when the subject of height came up.
    Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Its theme — that the rich are different, and in not-good ways — meant she’d be forced into a ritualistic game of hide-and-seek, running for her life from her devil-worshipping, masters-of-the-world in-laws.
    Michael Ordoña, Houston Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Its theme — that the rich are different, and in not-good ways — meant she’d be forced into a ritualistic game of hide-and-seek, running for her life from her devil-worshipping, masters-of-the-world in-laws.
    Michael Ordoña, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Trump had been appreciative, and the two had chatted by phone to hash out the timing of the endorsement announcement.
    Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Bronny is appreciative of the coaches’ trust in him.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adore. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

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