Synonyms of worship

worship 1 of 2

noun

as in adoration

excessive admiration of or devotion to a person

the worship of professional athletes who often turn out to be all too fallible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adoration
• worshipping
• idolatry
• deification
• hero worship
• reverence
• adulation
• appreciation
• idolization
• veneration
• affection
• deference
• love
• glorification
• idealization
• respect
• approval
• liking
• esteem
• like
• fondness
• regard
• romanticization
• favor
• fancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• condemnation
• hatred
• dismissal
• disregard
• disapproval
• scorn
• dislike
• loathing
• disfavor

worship

2 of 2

verb

ˈwər-shəp 

1

as in to venerate

to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power

the ancient Greeks worshipped many different gods

Synonyms & Similar Words

• venerate
• reverence
• revere
• praise
• honor
• admire
• love
• adore
• respect
• glorify
• deify
• regard
• exalt
• please
• dignify
• extol
• delight
• apotheosize
• satisfy
• laud
• lionize
• gratify
• magnify
• canonize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• violate
• desecrate
• blaspheme
• profane
• outrage
• ridicule
• insult
• scorn
• offend
• dishonor
• slight
• displease
• disrespect
• libel
• affront
• disparage
• slander
• smear
• defame
• pique
• malign
• slur

2

as in to love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for

the new father worships his baby daughter, and would do anything for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• love
• adore
• fall for
• carry the torch (for)
• cherish
• idolize
• reverence
• carry a torch (for)
• revere
• lose one's heart (to)
• venerate
• idealize
• adulate
• deify
• canonize
• delight (in)
• dote (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• detest
• abhor
• loathe
• antagonize
• displease
• dislike
• abominate
• disapprove (of)
• revolt
• execrate
• repel
• turn off
• disgust
• sicken
• repulse
• disfavor
• nauseate

3

as in to adore

to love or admire too much

thought that some of her fellow senior citizens worshipped the old days too much, observing that they weren't all good

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adore
• like
• idolize
• hero-worship
• revere
• deify
• adulate
• dote (on)
• canonize
• regard
• appreciate
• treasure
• prefer
• cherish
• respect
• value
• venerate
• prize
• esteem
• favor
• fancy
• approve
• endorse
• hallow
• support

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• dislike
• detest
• disdain
• abhor
• loathe
• abominate
• put down
• disparage
• deprecate
• belittle
• misprize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb worship differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of worship are adore, reverence, revere, and venerate. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.

worships their memory

In what contexts can adore take the place of worship?

The synonyms adore and worship are sometimes interchangeable, but adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When can revere be used instead of worship?

In some situations, the words revere and worship are roughly equivalent. However, revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

When could reverence be used to replace worship?

The words reverence and worship can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is venerate a more appropriate choice than worship?

While the synonyms venerate and worship are close in meaning, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of worship

Noun

In a decision written by Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, the 4th Circuit panel ruled that the houses of worship showed that the Department of Homeland Security's policy substantially burdens the free exercise of their religion. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Starting mid-July, a mass shooting threat at a Jehovah’s Witnesses’ worship center led the congregation to cancel in-person services and switch to remote sessions, court documents stated, per FOX 10. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

This meant unofficial gods—including those of the Jews, Syrians, and later Christians—could be worshipped there. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 17 Aug. 2026

The leaders take over business to enrich themselves and force the population to worship them. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing worship

• hero worship