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Showing results for genuflection. Search instead for genuflections.
Synonyms

genuflection

American  
[jen-yoo-flek-shuhn] / ˌdʒɛn jʊˈflɛk ʃən /
especially British, genuflexion

noun

  1. an act of bending the knee or touching it to the ground in reverence or worship.


Etymology

Origin of genuflection

First recorded in 1520–30, genuflection is from the Medieval Latin word genūflexiōn- (stem of genūflexiō ). See genuflect, -ion


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He saw the tribal genuflection as “an empty, performative act” that implied “UW’s presence is somehow illegitimate, shameful, morally wrong.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025

“It’s only a movie, and … a much less impressive one than all the accompanying genuflection would have you believe.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2024

Still, they’ve all grown too used to each other to engage in much genuflection: When you treat an awards campaign like a full-time job, the other contenders might as well be your co-workers.

From New York Times ● Feb. 12, 2024

Pay close attention to appreciate the artful genuflection to classics like "Excalibur."

From Salon ● May 21, 2021

It was Father Ricardo, and as he made the genuflection, it was seen that his face was irradiated by profound emotion.

From The Heavenly Twins by Madame Sarah Grand

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