REVEREND Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

reverend 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrev-rənd

Definition of reverend

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

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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

Spirtual foundation Astara, where Guidera reportedly served as a reverend, paid tribute to the late actor in an emotional social media post over the weekend. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 June 2026 But the reverend also intuitively understands that his captive congregation already polices itself—through shame and petty retributions meted out by neighbors. — Paula Cooper, CBS News, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverend

Adjective

That night, after the family gets back home, Irwin’s older brother, Gary (Adam Driver), arrives with princely pomp, bringing a takeout feast from the venerable steak house Peter Luger.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
In 2014, also boosted its reputation further by earning FIAPF A-list accreditation, putting it into the company of such venerable fests as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, Karlovy Vary and Locarno.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of venerable

Noun

But the priest begins to quietly resist, secretly returning the bodies to their families at great personal risk.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2026
The federal agents departed the hospital shortly after a priest appeared at the scene of the protest, video shows.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of priest

Adjective

The incident came a day after Hegseth narrowly survived an impeachment effort, drawing criticism from Democratic lawmakers over his conduct at the revered military memorial.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
When Blue Highway were honored with Gospel Recording of the Year, guitarist Tim Stafford dedicated the award to Bowman, a revered bluegrass ace who died in May.

— Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of revered

Noun

The preacher was Walter White, who led an Oregon City offshoot of the Followers of Christ, an Idaho sect that spurns medical treatment as a show of faith.

— Noelle Crombie, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2026
Growing up, the brothers spent much of their childhood traveling around the South with their father, a Pentecostal Church preacher, before eventually forming the band in Nashville in 1999, per American Songwriter.

— Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of preacher

Adjective

The venerated athlete returned to the sport after a nearly four-year hiatus.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Word of her ouster leaked before the executive had the chance to address most of her internal teams — an announcement dovetailed with news of her incoming replacement, the venerated film and TV executive Peter Rice.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of venerated

Noun

Some years ago, the State met me in behalf of the Church, and commanded me to pay a certain sum toward the support of a clergyman whose preaching my father attended, but never I myself.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
But the heart of this production is the dramatic soprano Christine Goerke, who plays a deceased clergyman known as the Reverend.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of clergyman

Adjective

Crooked Rain sold decently, too, spending a respectable four weeks on the Billboard 200, where Slanted hadn’t even come close.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2026
Staying true to form, the Swift Spin 14 AI came in dead center among its competitors in our battery test, delivering a respectable 20 hours and 41 minutes of juice.

— Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of respectable

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“Reverend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverend. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of reverend

adjective

noun

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