as in pious
formal
showing or having a lot of respect
a reverential attitude They spoke in reverential terms about their recently departed spiritual advisor.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 reverential
Based on Elijah Wald’s hour-by-hour countdown Dylan Goes Electric!, James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown is a quirky, engaging and (thankfully) never reverential biopic that tracks the journey of Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) from acoustic folk to rock amplification.
—
Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Freed from the demands of a typical episode, in which whatever Donald Trump happened to say that morning could upend entire sketches, the team found clever, reverential ways to play in the deep sandbox of SNL’s past and present.
—Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
After receiving the Living Legend Award from a reverential, cigarette-smoking Bono, Sinatra, who choked up immediately, launched into an acceptance speech dotted with humorous anecdotes and pauses.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025
Some of the press has called me negatively reverential to Maria Callas.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for reverential
Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Freed from the demands of a typical episode, in which whatever Donald Trump happened to say that morning could upend entire sketches, the team found clever, reverential ways to play in the deep sandbox of SNL’s past and present.
—Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
After receiving the Living Legend Award from a reverential, cigarette-smoking Bono, Sinatra, who choked up immediately, launched into an acceptance speech dotted with humorous anecdotes and pauses.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025
Some of the press has called me negatively reverential to Maria Callas.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for reverential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverential
Adjective
-
Contemporary accounts describe Antoine as a pious person, initially committed to Catholicism, then to spiritualism.—
Emilien Hofman (Tr. Elettra Pauletto),
The Dial,
20 Mar. 2025
-
As the emboldened queen is beheaded, King Henry is seen preparing to wed his third wife, the pious and soft-spoken Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And there may come a time for a respectful adult child to take control over many matters in a parent’s life so as to preserve that life.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
But just being in a respectful environment, usually the response is good.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Sedona, Arizona, topped a study of the world's most mindful travel destinations for its energy vortexes, red rock formations, and strong spiritual community.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Sounding faintly Buddhist to the modern ear, those writings interpreted miracles as symbolic descriptions of real spiritual revelations and transformations, available only to those with access to secret knowledge (gnosis).—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Since the film’s release, last November, critics have been divided over whether Prieto was too reverent toward Rulfo’s work.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The performance is soft and delicate, with the few people in attendance affording Gibson the reverent silence that was so lacking in Austin.—
Matthew Ismael Ruiz,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
With Ramadan now a season of cultural significance beyond religious observance, its musical phenomenon continues to evolve, marking a unique space where nostalgia, innovation and commercial success intersect.—
Hala Mustafa,
Billboard,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Khan-Ghany has encouraged her Muslim students to be proud of their religious and cultural upbringings.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The secret in the biscuits is the pairing of cheddar with bacon, with the overall result being worshipful thanks from those who are lucky enough to partake.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Her chef and housekeeper, Bruna (Alba Rohrwacher), is timid and worshipful but able to take quietly decisive action when necessary.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
25 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Reverential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverential. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share