WORSHIP Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of worship are adore , reverence , revere , and venerate . While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony. // worships their memory

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

The synonyms adore and worship are sometimes interchangeable, but adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment. // we adored our doctor

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

In some situations, the words revere and worship are roughly equivalent. However, revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling. // a professor revered by her students

Q: When could 'reverence' be used to replace 'worship'?

The words reverence and worship can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is 'venerate' a more appropriate choice than 'worship'?

While the synonyms venerate and worship are close in meaning, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age. // heroes still venerated

worship 1 of 2

noun

Definition of worship next

as in worshiping

excessive admiration of or devotion to a person the worship of professional athletes who often turn out to be all too fallible

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worship

2 of 2

verb

ˈwər-shəp

as in to venerate

to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power the ancient Greeks worshipped many different gods

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as in to love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for the new father worships his baby daughter, and would do anything for her

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as in to adore

to love or admire too much thought that some of her fellow senior citizens worshipped the old days too much, observing that they weren't all good

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb worship differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of worship are adore, reverence, revere, and venerate. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.

worships their memory

In what contexts can adore take the place of worship?

The synonyms adore and worship are sometimes interchangeable, but adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When can revere be used instead of worship?

In some situations, the words revere and worship are roughly equivalent. However, revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

When could reverence be used to replace worship?

The words reverence and worship can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is venerate a more appropriate choice than worship?

While the synonyms venerate and worship are close in meaning, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

Examples 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 worship

Noun

Houses, businesses, schools, places of worship—all gone, devoured in an apocalyptic conflagration. —

Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2025 After dealing with two-plus decades of fan worship on her front steps, the homeowner, Barbara Lorber, this morning made a formal application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to add an iron gate at the base of the stoop. —

Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 14 Jan. 2025

Verb

For billions of people, today is about Christmas: Santa Claus (is yours as handsome as this guy?), a feast, carol-singing or worship, the rewatching of festive classics. —

Natasha Frost, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024 At that time, the Hispanic and Karen congregations worshipped in different spaces in the church building and rarely interacted with the main First Baptist members. —

Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for worship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worship

Verb

Here’s what to know about the festival: A religious gathering at confluence of 3 rivers Hindus venerate rivers, and none more so than the Ganges and the Yamuna.

— Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
The Mangione case reminds me of the protesters and anti-Israel activists who venerated the actions of Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, reveling in the slaughter of thousands of innocent young adults and children.

— Diane Gensler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2025