Definition of adorenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adore are reverence, revere, venerate, and worship. While all these words mean "to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully," adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

When could revere be used to replace adore?

The words revere and adore can be used in similar contexts, but revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

When can reverence be used instead of adore?

While in some cases nearly identical to adore, 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 would venerate be a good substitute for adore?

The meanings of venerate and adore largely overlap; however, venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

When is worship a more appropriate choice than adore?

In some situations, the words worship and adore are roughly equivalent. However, 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 adore Chuck Norris, the martial artist and action movie icon whose toughness became an increasingly exaggerated legend among his adoring fans, has died. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026 Yes, its name is an homage to the classic leporine book, with grassy notes a rabbit might adore. Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026 Cilantro, a polarizing herb that’s either adored in Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Indian cuisines, or repulsed by those who detect a nauseating soapy taste. Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026 All the adoring Yanks were ready to appoint her queen on the spot, but queen of what? Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adore
Verb
  • The Breakfast Ride and Cowboy Cookout are two unique dining experiences the whole family will love, and adult guests will appreciate the new spa planned for late 2027.
    Julie Bielenberg, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The teen is also a big Harry Potter fan and would love to settle in for a movie marathon.
    The Star April 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There, at the present-day Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a bishop held up the cross for several hours as the faithful venerated it.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Redemptive suffering Shared sorrow is a key part of Iran’s Twelver Shiite identity, which venerates the Prophet Muhammad’s family through daughter Fatima and cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
    Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Seasonal children's programming is available for ages three to 17, and adults can enjoy the cold plunges, sauna, and hot tub at the Lazy You Hideaway while the kids are occupied.
    Julie Bielenberg, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Kane will be enjoying his time on the water and live his active and adventurous lifestyle.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • History meets future in new design First Baptist Dallas’ historic sanctuary served as a secondary, but beloved, worship space after its $130 million expansion was completed in 2013.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • And others simply see crypto as a way to build wealth and devote more time to worship.
    Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The rest are bars where cocktail-making is revered.
    Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • She’s especially revered in Shiite Islam because of her kinship with the imams.
    Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While awaiting their orbital departure earlier Thursday, the astronauts savored the views of Earth from tens of thousands of miles high.
    Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Being unrushed, savoring—how sexy is that?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Having access to the network of former UConn superstars is still surreal for Vukosa, who grew up idolizing Breanna Stewart and attends the same high school as Hall of Famer Sue Bird and WNBA MVP Tina Charles.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While Willis, an Atlanta native who idolized Michael Vick growing up, attempts to downplay his mobility, the people around him, those who have coached him, view it as his superpower.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adore. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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