revere
rih-VEER
/rɪˈvɪə(r)/
Feel deep respect or admiration for someone or something.
Involves profound, almost sacred awe and honor toward a person, institution, or national symbol.
The story behind the word. Traces back to Latin revereri, combining the intensive prefix re- with vereri ('to feel awe or respect'). In classical Rome, reverence blended high respect with awe.
Word relationships
- commemorate: Revere is the internal feeling of deep respect, whereas commemorate is an external public action of honoring.
- despise: Despise means to feel intense contempt or disgust, the exact opposite of revere.
Commonly confused with
- reverend: Reverend is a religious title, whereas revere is a verb meaning to honor deeply.
Word family
- reverence (noun): Deep respect for someone or something.
- reverent (adjective): Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
Collocations
- deeply revere
- revere as a hero
- universally revered
Idioms & expressions
- hold in high esteem
Example sentences
- "Citizens across generations revere the nation's founders for their steadfast courage." National history lesson
Memory hook
REVERE someone with deep REVERENCE. Profound awe and honor.
When not to use
Avoid for casual liking or mild personal approval.
Fun facts
- Paul Revere's last name actually stems from French Huguenot ancestors named Rivoire, but punsters often noted how fitting it was for a nation to 'revere' Paul Revere.
Related words
Also appears in
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