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.
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Recent Examples of reverential
The opening-week success of the younger-skewing Predator: Badlands offers hope, and though his film doesn’t quite go as agreeably haywire as Ari Aster’s Eddington, Wright is working in a similarly ambitious, contemporary-retro style that’s reverential without being the slightest bit nostalgic.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
There are also occasional flashes of Sharon Van Etten’s early 2010s albums, and producer Adam Schatz (of Landlady, who has also worked with Japanese Breakfast and Neko Case) has created a perfect setting for the songs that evokes the ’70s influences without being overly reverential.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Maggie shows reverential awe for Alma, who carries the same regard for her student whilst having a nepotistic bond with Hank.
—Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
This is a different era, one less reverential of spiritual authority.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reverential
Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
There are also occasional flashes of Sharon Van Etten’s early 2010s albums, and producer Adam Schatz (of Landlady, who has also worked with Japanese Breakfast and Neko Case) has created a perfect setting for the songs that evokes the ’70s influences without being overly reverential.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Maggie shows reverential awe for Alma, who carries the same regard for her student whilst having a nepotistic bond with Hank.
—Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
This is a different era, one less reverential of spiritual authority.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reverential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverential
Adjective
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All of this is impressive enough, but there are tales that the bible was written in a single night by none other than the Dark Lord himself, not a pious scribe.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Dec. 2025
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The suspects may seem pious, but which of them committed the ultimate sin of murder?—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
13 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Attorney Manuel Carednas, who represented Villegas-Gonzalez in two of those cases, said his client, while undocumented, was respectful, hardworking and compliant with all court instructions regarding his traffic violations.—
Dave Savini,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This said, the movers were very polite and respectful and removed all of the excess packing.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Lent is centered on repentance and spiritual preparation according to the Vatican.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
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Think of it as a way to get in touch with the potential spiritual lessons of the year.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Inside, the mood was hushed, reverent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Dec. 2025
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It’s been heartening to see these many reverent tributes to not only Reiner’s good deeds in the arena of social justice, but also to his film work, which has maybe not always been properly appreciated for its breadth and vitality.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Last year’s version, which withered on the Senate’s calendar, also included religious organizations.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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Researchers also reported a large building that may have served as a public religious or civic structure (often described as a candidate for a mosque/madrasa/bathhouse).—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Essentially worshipful in its view of Lee, the movie never acknowledges that one person drawing so much unbridled admiration is more than a little creepy.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
25 Dec. 2025
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But while his adoration does have an erotic edge to it (see: The Shape of Water), on the whole, his affection for the misshapen and the outcast among us is more worshipful than overtly lusty.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reverential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverential. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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