REVEREND Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

reverend 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrev-rənd

Definition of reverend

as in venerable

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age our reverend elders should be accorded a special place of honor at the ceremonies

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reverend

2 of 2

noun

as in priest

a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church called their reverend and asked if he could marry them next June

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 reverend

Adjective

There’s a little commentary around the reverend character [played by Chris Evans] and the kind of cultlike world that exists there, which is a little Trump-like, but not so much. — Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Dickens was a great admirer of a reverend philosopher of that name, often carrying around a copy of Smith's Elementary Sketches of Moral Philosophy. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2022

Noun

Brolin plays a small but pivotal role in Wake Up Dead Man as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, the reverend whose murder brings Blanc to his rural parish. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025 The reverend in charge of the largest cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has resigned after being arrested and accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of baseball trading cards. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverend

Adjective

The two women have booked an increasing number of speaking gigs over the past year, including at popular venues like Sloat Garden Centers and SummerWinds nurseries around the Bay Area, and even at the venerable Marin Art and Garden Center.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
The 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is gearing up to celebrate the venerable Czech fest’s past and, at the same time, guide it into its future.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

Definition of venerable

Noun

In places such as Taiwan, Daoist priests can be seen today conducting rituals at community temples and annual festivals.

— Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
At the moment the priest elevated the host during the consecration — the most sacred moment of the Catholic Mass, when Catholics believe bread becomes the body of Christ — thunder cracked loudly overhead.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Definition of priest

Adjective

Their place in history as Declaration signers was more a product of right place, right time than revered leaders of the patriot cause sent to Philadelphia.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Even though the monarchy no longer exists in Rwanda, so revered are the cows that the traditional gifting and exchanging them among kingdoms has been embraced by Kagame.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026

Definition of revered

Noun

The dynamic duo of Jonda Valentine, an artist and daughter of a Pentecostal preacher, and her longtime friend Christa Suppan, who started as a bartender when Lipstick first opened, share co-ownership of the two bars.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026
The street preacher asks if someone could be cited if a transgender person is offended if they are misgendered by another person.

— Emily Holshouser July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Definition of preacher

Adjective

On the night of June 15, a Russian drone directly hit the most venerated site for Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christians, and indeed for much of Eastern Christendom.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark live release, Frampton recounts his history in bands The Herd and Humble Pie before striking stadium-sellout gold as a solo star with venerated guitar chops and an inventive talk box.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
But the Celtics’ latest deal for George makes the Clippers original deal for George a lot more respectable.

— Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of respectable

Noun

The research in the Diocese of Saginaw reviewed allegations against 37 priests and one deacon, 30 of whom are known or presumed to be dead.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 June 2026
When there’s a big medical bill, the deacon, or maybe some sort of committee, a small committee within the church, try to pull some funds together to pay for it.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 6 June 2026

Definition of deacon

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“Reverend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverend. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of reverend

adjective

noun

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