Reverence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈrev-rən(t)s/ rev·er·ence

Meaning & Definition of Reverence

Reverence (noun)

  1. honor or respect felt or shown, deference; especially, profound adoring awed respect
  2. a gesture of respect (such as a bow)
  3. the state of being revered

Reverence (verb)

  1. to regard or treat with reverence

Reverence (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "devotees coming to reverence their god"

    similar: adore, deify, glorify, revere, venerate, worship
    related: admire, honor, love, regard, respect, apotheosize, canonize, dignify, exalt, lionize, magnify, extol, laud, praise, delight, gratify, please, satisfy
    near: blaspheme, desecrate, profane, violate, affront, dishonor, disrespect, insult, offend, outrage, pique, ridicule, scorn, slight, displease, defame, disparage, libel, malign, slander, slur, smear

Reverence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in deference, adoration

    similar: adoration, deference, glorification, veneration, adulation, deification, hero worship, idolatry, idolization, worship, worshipping, idealization, romanticization, affection, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love, appreciation, esteem, regard, respect, approval
    opposite: condemnation, disapproval, disfavor, dislike, dismissal, disregard, hatred, loathing, scorn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reverence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reverence:

adore, deify, glorify, revere, venerate, worship, adoration, deference, glorification, veneration, adulation, deification, hero worship, idolatry, idolization, worshipping, idealization, romanticization, affection, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love, appreciation, esteem, regard, respect, approval

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reverence

Words with the opposite meaning of Reverence:

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

Related Words for Reverence

admire, honor, apotheosize, canonize, dignify, exalt, lionize, magnify, extol, laud, praise, delight, gratify, please, satisfy

Near Antonyms of Reverence

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

Word Forms of Reverence

Inflections: reverenced, reverencing

Derived words: reverencer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Reverence

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverentia, from reverent-, reverens "respectful, reverent" + -ia -ia:1

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Reverence

sir-reverence

Frequently Asked Questions about Reverence

What does "Reverence" mean?

"Reverence" means honor or respect felt or shown, deference; especially, profound adoring awed respect. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: honor or respect felt or shown, deference; especially, profound adoring awed respect. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reverence"?

Other words for "Reverence" include adore, deify, glorify, revere, venerate, worship, adoration and deference. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reverence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reverence"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reverence". Common alternatives include adore, deify, glorify, revere, venerate, worship, adoration, deference, glorification and veneration.

What is the opposite of "Reverence"?

Antonyms of "Reverence" include condemnation, disapproval, disfavor, dislike, dismissal, disregard, hatred and loathing. Near antonyms include blaspheme, desecrate, profane and violate.

How do you use "Reverence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reverence" in a sentence: "devotees coming to reverence their god".

Is "Reverence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reverence" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Reverence"?

"Reverence" is pronounced /ˈrev-rən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as rev·er·ence.

What is the origin of the word "Reverence"?

"Reverence" comes from Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverentia, from reverent-, reverens "respectful, reverent" + -ia -ia:1. First known use: 14th century.