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reverence

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reverence differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reverence are adore, revere, venerate, and worship. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," 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 can adore be used instead of reverence?

The words adore and reverence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When is it sensible to use revere instead of reverence?

While the synonyms revere and reverence are close in meaning, revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

Where would venerate be a reasonable alternative to reverence?

In some situations, the words venerate and reverence are roughly equivalent. However, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

In what contexts can worship take the place of reverence?

The synonyms worship and reverence are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 reverence
Verb
But from the outside, this level of cultish reverence for a rock band in 2025 feels both new and nostalgic, harkening back to the days when such bands ruled the world. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025 This approach to wearing shells—as a form of reverence and cultural pride—has persisted. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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 See All Example Sentences for reverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverence
Verb
  • Now, the singer has dropped her Folded Homage Pack EP of remixes that venerated musicians Brandy, Toni Braxton, JoJo, Tank, and Mario previously teased on social media, with a new addition from Ne-Yo as well.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The Democrat who venerates more government but sidesteps California’s failing public schools and crushing cost of living.
    John H Bolthouse, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • White supremacy is constructed and maintained by Black service work and by the extraction of a social performance of deference.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Though the recent firings have come under legal scrutiny, and will likely remain paused for the foreseeable future, the Supreme Court has given broad deference to Trump over federal hiring so far in his second term.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That gap gives congregations wide latitude to hire and restore youth pastors, worship leaders and other associate ministers — including those with histories of misconduct.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The Exorcism of God (2021) The Vatican treats him like a king, and the parishioners worship his presence, but Father Peter Williams (Will Beinbrink) has been hiding an unspeakable secret for 18 years.
    Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This culture of veneration coexists with a significant unfamiliarity with the document and its implications.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak is hosting veneration and mass for thousands to honor its patroness Saint Therese.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Pinjar thus starts out with Hamida’s disgust, puncturing notions of maternal affection revered in mainstream South Asian (and other) narratives.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Country fans were perplexed as to why Johnson, revered for his commitment to traditional country, had gone mostly dark in the studio during that time.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Soon, the teens’ adoration for each other is at risk of becoming a nightmare.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Candyman, the Candyman franchise (1992–1999; 2021) Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) finds out that adoration and horror don't mix when she is faced with the attachment of the sinister Candyman (Tony Todd) in the 1992 film classic.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Genuine peace requires rewriting textbooks, ending propaganda, and ceasing the glorification of violence.
    Artak Beglaryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
  • The portrayal of indigenous people was riddled with stereotypes and other problematic story elements, including the glorification of suicide.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Propping up these anti-artists promotes a kind of false idolatry; undiscerning listeners read their banal backstories and watch their flashy videos and soon become active devotees.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 2 Oct. 2025
  • These all may be interpreted as acts of idolatry.
    Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverence. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

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