venerate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to hold in deep respect; revere
-
to honour in recognition of qualities of holiness, excellence, wisdom, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of venerate
1615–25; < Latin venerātus, past participle of venerārī to solicit the goodwill of (a god), worship, revere, verbal derivative of vener-, stem of venus, presumably in its original sense “desire”; see Venus)
Explanation
To venerate is to worship, adore, be in awe of. You probably don't venerate your teacher or boss; however, you may act like you do! The word hasn't come far from its Latin roots in venerari, "to worship." Although you can certainly venerate a deity, a person can deserve it, too. We don't usually venerate our friends: instead, we usually save this feeling for deities or remarkable people who inspire awe. Mother Teresa was venerated for her work with the poor, and Gandhi was venerated for his efforts for peace, but most people aren't venerated for normal stuff like taking out the trash or hanging out on a Saturday.
Vocabulary lists containing venerate
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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.
That made it an object to venerate as well as a beacon amid political storms.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
The trillion-dollar pay package has its roots in Musk’s desire to control 25% of Tesla stock, so he can’t be pushed out, even though most long-time Tesla investors and his board venerate his leadership.
From Barron's • Oct. 3, 2025
It is, however, one reason why we venerate the founders.
From Slate • May 8, 2024
We venerate those who’ve sacrificed on our behalf, but do a lousy job emulating their example.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2023
An offering fell to the floor, the host, and Lana knelt to venerate and retrieve it.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
