Definition

1. Verb:
   • To regard or treat with deep respect, reverence, or awe, often because of great age, wisdom, holiness, or achievement. It implies a feeling of profound admiration mixed with deference.

Usage

• General Use: The verb "venerate" is used to describe the act of holding someone or something in the highest esteem. It is a formal term often applied to religious figures, ancestors, cultural icons, or profound ideas.
• Grammar: It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (e.g., or ).

Examples

• Many cultures venerate their ancestors through rituals and offerings.
• The community venerates the old temple as a sacred site.
• Scholars venerate the original manuscripts of the great philosopher.

Advanced Usage

• "to be venerated": to be the object of veneration.
  • The founder of the school is venerated by all its graduates.
• Conceptual Veneration: Used for abstract concepts or ideals.
  • The constitution is a document venerated for its principles of liberty.

Variants and Related Words

• Veneration (n): The feeling or act of venerating; profound respect.
  • She spoke of her teacher with great veneration.
• Venerable (adj): Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
  • The venerable judge was known for his fairness.

Synonyms

• Revere: To feel deep respect or admiration for.
• Reverence: To regard or treat with deep respect.
• Honor: To regard with great respect.
• Adore: To love and respect deeply (can have religious or very strong emotional connotations).

Antonyms

• Despise: To feel contempt or a deep repugnance for.
• Scorn: To feel or express contempt or derision.
• Disrespect: To show a lack of respect or courtesy.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Hold in veneration: To regard with the highest respect.
  • The ancient text is held in veneration by linguists worldwide.
• Object of veneration: A person or thing that is venerated.
  • The relic became an object of veneration for pilgrims.

Verb

1. regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
   • Fear God as your father
   • We venerate genius