reverend 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrev-rənd How to pronounce reverend (audio)
Definition of reverendnext
as in venerable
deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age our reverend elders should be accorded a special place of honor at the ceremonies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reverend

2 of 2

noun

as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church called their reverend and asked if he could marry them next June

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 reverend
Adjective
No one was a better fit for the job to officiate Richie and Madden's 2010 wedding than the Run DMC frontman, who is a reverend IRL. — Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022 There before the reverend mother and God, the police (wielding rifles) and the butchers (wielding a cow trailer) managed to corral two of the steers. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2022
Noun
Curry said Firecracker is a lonely character, and her reverend is the only person on the show who sees and loves her earnestly. — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026 The reverend stands tall at the pulpit and reads from the Gospel of Matthew. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverend
  1. venerable
  2. priest
  3. revered
  4. preacher
  5. venerated
  6. clergyman
  7. respectable
  8. deacon
Adjective
  • The venerable establishment was undamaged, but shut down amid the chaos.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • These are just two of several recent high-profile wins, providing a financial windfall for the venerable investment bank.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of venerable
Noun
  • Even a local Catholic priest launched a holy war against the school over its new athletic facility.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But then his family temple needed a priest, and his life onstage came to an end.
    — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of priest
Adjective
  • Once England’s record goalscorer, Lineker was a revered national icon and went on to become a top broadcaster at the helm of the BBC’s weekly top division highlights show Match of the Day for 26 years after retiring.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Hurzeler is reflecting on two conversations in recent months with one of football’s most revered managers during an exclusive interview with The Athletic, as the German prepares for a third season working in the Premier League.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of revered
Noun
  • Later in the service, the choir would sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of a gospel song that set the tone for the preacher to follow with his gospel message.
    — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The story begins in 1810, when Johann Wilhelm Ebel, a young cleric who had studied at the University of Königsberg, returned to the city as a teacher and preacher.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of preacher
Adjective
  • The site remains a venerated Buddhist shrine used for local worship.
    — Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
  • On the night of June 15, a Russian drone directly hit the most venerated site for Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christians, and indeed for much of Eastern Christendom.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026
Definition of venerated
Noun
  • Such details include McCartney’s bare feet and opposite stride and the other members’ attire (Lennon’s white supposedly represents a clergyman, Starr’s black a mourner, and Harrison’s denim a gravedigger).
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 July 2026
  • Robin, our hero, is the son of a country clergyman.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of clergyman
Adjective
  • Insider tip Do what respectable hockey writers do and stay at the Marriott Château Champlain.
    — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of respectable
Noun
  • This summer, archaeologists uncovered a 1,700-year-old Byzantine city in Egypt, complete with a church and a deacon's home.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Church deacons want it to be called Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, its previous name.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deacon

Browse Nearby Words

reverencing
reverend
Reverend Mother
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Cite this Entry

“Reverend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverend. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reverend

Nglish: Translation of reverend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reverend

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