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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 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
Noun
Astonishing success in both domestic cups in their nine seasons under Pep Guardiola has been the catalyst for this unprecedented run, the reverence with which the Spaniard regards the English knockout competitions fuelling a determination to keep on winning them. Thom Harris, New York Times, 17 May 2025 There was an air of reverence for Journalism entering the Triple Crown’s second jewel, prominently from a few Hall of Fame trainers. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverence
Verb
  • Apollo, the god of archery and the son of Zeus, was venerated both in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
  • We are culturally deprived, and the attempt to venerate McDonald for her unedifying turmoil backfired.
    Armond White, National Review, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Yes, the Heat often bypass offensive rebounds in deference to defensive transition.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • Furthermore, separation of powers concerns counsel judicial deference and restraint in the context of discovery regarding internal executive branch communications.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Public fan voting will take place in two categories this year – urban single or performance of the year and praise and worship song of the year.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 June 2025
  • Set during one dizzying weekend at the Kell estate, home to billionaire couple Michaela (Moore) and Peter (Bacon), these top one-percenters are so worshipped and secluded that their immediate social circle resembles a cult more than a community.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Pictures show Catholics visibly taken aback by the display, which was part of the opening ceremony of public veneration, on Sunday.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
  • But in Kyiv, my Ukrainian aunt Vita immediately thought of Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement The Russian President has long made the veneration of World War II the central tenet of Russia’s national idea.
    Sasha Vasilyuk, Time, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Cannabis, long revered for its therapeutic properties, has been making waves in wellness circles, offering a range of benefits for physical and mental health.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 1 June 2025
  • Aspects of existentialism can also be found in much older sources revered in European intellectual traditions, such as the biblical books of Ecclesiastes and Job and the thinking of Greek Cynics such as Diogenes.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The stakes are also higher in the third act because of a life-risking incident and Nani’s career aspirations, while the new movie downplays Stitch’s adoration for Elvis Presley, though his songs are present.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
  • Set three years after the events of Season 4, Joe and his wife Kate (Charlotte Richie) are living in New York, where Kate’s role as a powerful CEO has brought them a lot of public attention and adoration.
    Photo: Courtesy of Netflix., Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His assessment is based not on the slack-jawed idolatry of elite-media toadies, but on sources nobody else thought to ring up and poke.
    Harpers Magazine, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike most contemporary acts subject to mass idolatry, Wolf Alice’s online presence (which, historically, has been minimal) has never been part of the appeal.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverence. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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