adoration

noun

ad·​o·​ra·​tion ˌa-də-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce adoration (audio)
Synonyms of adoration
: the act of adoring : the state of being adored

Examples of adoration in a Sentence

They looked at the baby in adoration. The doctor has earned the adoration of his patients.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
His face appearing on the big screen was naturally greeted by cheers of adoration from the stands and would normally have been a pure reason to smile. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 The filmmaker was showered with love and adoration by appreciative fans. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 Pan recalled attending a symphony in elementary school, while Kiley expressed his adoration for the Folsom Lake Symphony. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adoration

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin adōrātiōn-, adōrātiō, from adōrāre "to venerate, adore" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adoration was in the 15th century

Rhymes for adoration

See All Rhymes for adoration

Browse Nearby Words

adorant
adoration
adorational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adoration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoration. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on adoration

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for adoration

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adoration

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