reverential

adjective

Definition of reverentialnext
as in pious
formal showing or having a lot of respect a reverential attitude They spoke in reverential terms about their recently departed spiritual advisor.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 reverential Rather than offering a reverential homage, the concept recalls the original’s aggressive sophistication, while integrating bleeding-edge advancements. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026 The Followers have bent elbows and knees and prayerful cupped hands, and often move with little birdlike hops around the Preacher (Jai Perez), who presides with proud posture and reverential knee-hinges to the floor. — Jennifer Homans, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026 Penguins players lingered on the ice, hoping for a reverential handshake. — Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2026 But Marshals the standalone spinoff takes a backseat to Marshals the reverential sequel. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverential
  1. pious
  2. respectful
  3. spiritual
  4. reverent
  5. religious
  6. worshipful
Adjective
  • Philemon and Baucis, a pious Phrygian couple, hospitably received the disguised Zeus and Hermes after their richer neighbors had refused to do so.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
  • This was 1872, and the pious (and patronizing) commentators of the time muttered that Damien’s unvarnished personality was due to his simple farm upbringing in rural Belgium.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of pious
Adjective
  • Eventually and from a respectful distance, Ayres hopped in the water to get a better look at the whales.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026
  • Of course, creating a culture of openness and respectful debate requires more than staving off government interference.
    — Annabelle Garland, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of respectful
Adjective
  • Only the Avatar, a spiritual figure reincarnated with each subsequent generation, can bend all four elements at once.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • Bhajan clubbing has brought Hindu tradition to the dance floor, providing a sober and spiritual nightlife experience.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 July 2026
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • The wedding processional began with the majestic, resonant tones of the historic church organ, setting a reverent and grand atmosphere.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • This contemporary-chic new venture counts Chalee Kader (whose Wana Yook restaurant has one Michelin star) among its owners and serves hearty Thai dishes, both reverent and reinterpreted, amid abstract paintings and an electro-rock soundtrack.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of reverent
Adjective
  • Shinto was formally separated from the state after World War II, but its traditions still reflect a broader history of religious and cultural influences.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Otero Alcántara has a long history of incorporating the religious symbols into his artwork.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
Definition of religious
Adjective
  • After a while, though, all the professions of sincerity and thanks, the constant invocations of the one true POTUS, and the worshipful exhibits upstairs give the whole place a cultish, nostalgic gleam.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026
  • The secret in the biscuits is the pairing of cheddar with bacon, with the overall result being worshipful thanks from those who are lucky enough to partake.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
Definition of worshipful

Browse Nearby Words

reverent
reverential
reverently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reverential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverential. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All