reverence
1 of 2noun
reverence
2 of 2verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
Verb
- adore
- deify
- glorify
- revere
- venerate
- worship
Example Sentences
The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices, & Flavorings, 1992 Reverence for or worship of the dead is found in all societies, because belief in life after death is universal. World Religions, 1983 He took the command of this small party at once—the little girl and the little boy following him about with great reverence at such times as he condescended to sport with them. William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1848 Her poems are treated with reverence by other poets. Their religion has a deep reverence for nature. Verb Only acquaintance with the great models of antiquity moves men to love and reverence the great authors of their own time … John Clive, Not By Fact Alone, 1989 It is our most fundamental political document, reverenced by all, the supposed cement of our society, yet it is read by few and understood by fewer still. David M. Kennedy, New York Times Book Review, 14 Sept. 1986 None of us like mediocrity, but we all reverence perfection. Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880 devotees coming to reverence their god See More Pete Caldera, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 This reverence is balanced by the constantly inventive manner in which Sorey and his bandmates turn what was a brassy, hard-bop number into something much more restrained and ruminative, but no less potent. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 The atmosphere of reverence around him was quite amazing and strange. Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Men and women who understand its history bear its weight with pride and reverence. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The messages have been received with a mix of excitement and reverence, as bands of teenagers pass around cellphones to read his posts. Mustafa Salim, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Why does society treat labor pain with such reverence—and its relief with such scrutiny? Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 At best, this reverence to the race’s 100-year history felt quaint, like watching a baseball game at Wrigley Field. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 5 Aug. 2022 Soothing host Phoebe Judge unravels captivating tales with reverence in this polished production about the spectrum of crime. Simon Hill, Wired, 4 Aug. 2022 Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2022 At the time they were made, Scandinavian societies were moving from Sun worship to reverence for gods associated with animals. Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2022 A life cut short by unexpected catastrophe is reverenced. Christopher Knight, latimes.com, 6 May 2017 See More Word History
Noun
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverentia, from reverent-, reverens "respectful, reverent" + -ia -ia entry 1
Verb
Middle English reverencen, derivative of reverence reverence
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing reverence
Kids Definition
reverence
noun
reverence 1 of 2
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- worship
- venerate
- revere
- respect
- honor
- praise
- admire
- love
- deify
- adore
- regard
- glorify
- exalt
- apotheosize
- delight
- dignify
- lionize
- extol
- laud
- please
- canonize
- gratify
- extoll
- satisfy
- magnify
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- outrage
- violate
- scorn
- insult
- ridicule
- dishonor
- profane
- desecrate
- blaspheme
- offend
- slight
- disrespect
- affront
- displease
- disparage
- libel
- pique
- slander
- smear
- defame
- malign
- slur
reverence
2 of 2noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- veneration
- deference
- adoration
- worship
- glorification
- adulation
- deification
- idolization
- idolatry
- worshipping
- respect
- idealization
- esteem
- fondness
- affection
- worshiping
- romanticization
- appreciation
- hero worship
- love
- like
- liking
- approval
- regard
- fancy
- favor
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hatred
- disregard
- condemnation
- dismissal
- disapproval
- scorn
- dislike
- loathing
- disfavor
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of reverence are adore, revere, venerate, and worship. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring.
The words adore and reverence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.
While the synonyms revere and reverence are close in meaning, revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.
In some situations, the words venerate and reverence are roughly equivalent. However, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.
The synonyms worship and reverence are sometimes interchangeable, but worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.