reverence 1 of 2

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
Charles gets boxed in by the camera, which gazes up at Anniston with near reverence. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 Highlights include works designed by Julia Munson and Meta Overbeck under the direction of Louis Comfort Tiffany, the house’s pioneering art director celebrated for his experimentation and reverence for nature. Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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 Saint Heron remains dedicated to empowering future art practitioners by reverencing the spiritual act of creating and spotlighting artists’ unwavering devotion to the intergenerational language of expression. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 16 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for reverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverence
Verb
  • Advertisement Trump’s insistence on honoring these Confederates implicitly venerates their politics — and provides a justification for his own rule and ruin tactics, which so often echo them.
    Time, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The site is retired from active worship but still venerated.
    Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The central factor is the growing power asymmetry between China and India, and Beijing demanding deference within Asia—a hierarchy India resists.
    Shyam Saran, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Owners and teams contractually assent to the league and commissioner having final, binding and conclusive authority, meaning courts would give the league sizable deference.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent were respected and worshipped.
    James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • On Queen West stands a cathedral to gastronomy, complete with maple wood arched ceiling and steaks worth worshipping.
    Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As religions developed and faiths were defined in Biblical texts and commentaries, teachings began to distinguish between veneration and idolatry.
    Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • This veneration of instinct has led many observers to describe Trump as a social Darwinist.
    Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • That’s an understandable perspective, but where the morals of the interview get so twisted is how much weight Thug gives to being a millionaire and why that’s a big reason he should not just be respected but revered.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Victorians had turned death into something of a pageant, something to be celebrated as much as revered; for the large part, death followed illness and was often witnessed by surviving family members.
    Alice Vernon September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Over the past couple of months, the doting couple has continued to engage in digital PDA, commenting on one another’s posts and sharing their adoration for each other via interviews.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Acutis was known to spend hours in prayer before the Eucharist each day, a practice known as Eucharistic adoration.
    Jessie Wardarski, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 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
  • These all may be interpreted as acts of idolatry.
    Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The horror movie, starring Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, explores the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverence. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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