as in respectful
formal
showing a lot of respect
a reverent crowd of worshippers They used a reverent tone of voice when speaking about their father.
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Recent Examples of reverent
That was on display as volunteers spoke of the lighthouse’s history in hushed, reverent voices.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Goodspeed Musicals does new works but also reverent revivals of theater classics and re-workings of shows that need to be updated for modern times.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
That’s the biggest takeaway from the singer/songwriter’s magical, spirited and joyous performance Saturday night in front of a sold-out, absolutely reverent crowd at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reverent
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Goodspeed Musicals does new works but also reverent revivals of theater classics and re-workings of shows that need to be updated for modern times.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
That’s the biggest takeaway from the singer/songwriter’s magical, spirited and joyous performance Saturday night in front of a sold-out, absolutely reverent crowd at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reverent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverent
Adjective
-
Excellent service—non-invasive but helpful and respectful.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The response was respectful, if not exactly electric.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Essentially worshipful in its view of Lee, the movie never acknowledges that one person drawing so much unbridled admiration is more than a little creepy.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
25 Dec. 2025
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But while his adoration does have an erotic edge to it (see: The Shape of Water), on the whole, his affection for the misshapen and the outcast among us is more worshipful than overtly lusty.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Altogether, service is low‑key and functional rather than reverential—more practical help, less concierge fanfare—which actually fits the retreat’s stripped‑down, results-first vibe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
And though he’s widely admired, Olise should probably be spoken about in more reverential terms.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In addition to the pious, persevering Goma and flawed Chandravati in the mortal realm, in the divine realm there are the goddesses Sati and her reincarnation as Parvati.—
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
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In theory, their story ought to have enough drama to satisfy both pious and secular tastes.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On Sunday, police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, citing security concerns as Israel enforces a ban on gatherings in synagogues, churches and mosques during the ongoing war with Iran, which has brought missile strikes near holy sites.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The day commemorates the return of Jesus to Jerusalem and is the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection; the week is the holiest in the Christian calendar.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cipriani grew up a choir boy in a working-class section of Philadelphia, the fourth of five children in a devout Italian Catholic family.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
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Amar’e Stoudemire, the American-Israeli basketball star who became a devout convert to Judaism after retiring, is reportedly headed to the hall of fame.—
Jacob Gurvis,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reverent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverent. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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