REVERE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'revere' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revere are adore , reverence , venerate , and worship . While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling. // a professor revered by her students

Q: In what contexts can 'adore' take the place of 'revere'?

While the synonyms adore and revere are close in meaning, adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment. // we adored our doctor

Q: When can 'reverence' be used instead of 'revere'?

The meanings of reverence and revere largely overlap; however, reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring. // reverenced the academy's code of honor

Q: When could 'venerate' be used to replace 'revere'?

The words venerate and revere are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age. // heroes still venerated

Q: When would 'worship' be a good substitute for 'revere'?

The synonyms worship and revere are sometimes interchangeable, but worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony. // worships their memory

revere

verb

ri-ˈvir

Definition of revere

as in to venerate

to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power in some cultures people revere their ancestors, even leaving food offerings for them

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How does the verb revere differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revere are adore, reverence, venerate, and worship. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

In what contexts can adore take the place of revere?

While the synonyms adore and revere are close in meaning, adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When can reverence be used instead of revere?

The meanings of reverence and revere largely overlap; however, reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring.

reverenced the academy's code of honor

When could venerate be used to replace revere?

The words venerate and revere are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

When would worship be a good substitute for revere?

The synonyms worship and revere are sometimes interchangeable, but worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.

worships their memory

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of revere Macdonald, who died in 2021, is and was revered in comedy circles. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 In the books, Xaden is described as a large, dominating wing leader with dark, intimidating features who is highly revered by the rest of the Basgiath War College. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Long revered by Italian connoisseurs but little known elsewhere, Leoncillo is enjoying something of a revival. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Soon it was revered for both its architecture and collections. — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revere

Verb

Reed, venerated for his solo artistry and collaborations with the Velvet Underground, is a quintessential New York City artist of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
The kids who venerate McQueen as a fashion figurehead these days, after all, are likely to be found at the Cyberdog, just like McGirr once was.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of venerate

Verb

Its magical forest is filled with talking animals, tree-worshipping mystics, scheming functionaries, and the Dowager Governess (Carey Mulligan), an enchantress who commands an army of uniformed coyotes.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
The long history of prejudice As religious studies scholar Michael Altman argues, the charge that Hindus worship false gods and idols took hold in American national culture nearly two centuries ago.

— Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

Written with the intimacy of a conversation among loved ones, Someday, Now invites readers to sit with loss while still reverencing the beauty of life, parenting, and letting our children flourish.

— Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
But Pi is precociously enlightened, his innocence not a problem to be rectified but a quality to be reverenced.

— Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025

Definition of reverence

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reverberative

revere

revered

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“Revere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revere. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of revere

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