reverence

American  

[rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns] / ˈrɛv ər əns, ˈrɛv rəns /

noun

1. a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration.

   Synonyms:

   esteem, honor

   Antonyms:

   contempt

2. the outward manifestation of this feeling.

   to pay reverence.

3. a gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, bow, or curtsy.

4. the state of being revered, or treated with respect tinged with awe.

5. (initial capital letter) a title used in addressing or mentioning a member of the clergy (usually preceded by your orhis ).

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verb (used with object)

reverenced, reverencing

1. to regard or treat with reverence; venerate.

   One should reverence God and His laws.

   Synonyms:

   adore, honor, revere

reverence ¹ British  

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

1. a feeling or attitude of profound respect, usually reserved for the sacred or divine; devoted veneration

2. an outward manifestation of this feeling, esp a bow or act of obeisance

3. the state of being revered or commanding profound respect

4. archaic a form of apology for using an obscene or taboo expression

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verb

1. (tr) to revere or venerate

Reverence ² British  

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

1. (preceded by Your or His ) a title sometimes used to address or refer to a Roman Catholic priest

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Other Word Forms

• nonreverence noun
• reverencer noun
• self-reverence noun
• unreverenced adjective

Etymology

Origin of reverence

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin reverentia “respect, fear, awe”; equivalent to revere ¹ + -ence

Example Sentences

I don’t share their reverence for the institution, nor does most of the public.

From The Wall Street Journal

But this, I suddenly knew, was the respect and reverence of the artist.

From Literature

“Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence,” academy Chief Executive Bill Kramer and former president Janet Yang said in a statement announcing the return engagement.

From Los Angeles Times

Individuals all over the country were fired from their jobs, shunned, ostracized and run out of town for insufficient reverence for Kirk on social media.

From Salon

Joseph navigated those years in the wake with unadorned reverence, while starting a family of his own and directing some of the most transcendent music videos of the 2010s.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admiration
• adoration
• awe
• deference
• devotion
• esteem
• loyalty
• piety
• respect
• veneration