eerbiedigen

Eerbiedigen is a Dutch verb meaning to show reverence, respect, or veneration toward someone or something. It conveys a formal or ceremonial attitude and implies deference rather than everyday recognition.

Usage and register: eerbiedigen is mainly used in religious, ceremonial, or hierarchical contexts—such as treating sacred places or objects with reverence or addressing people with deference. In ordinary conversation, speakers typically choose more common verbs like respecteren or eren. Eerbiedigen can also describe a respectful attitude toward abstract concepts, ideas, or traditions, especially when the emphasis is on reverence rather than merely respecting someone’s rights or achievements.

Grammatical notes: it is a transitive verb. The direct object is the person or thing toward which reverence is shown (e.g., iemand eerbiedigen). The noun forms are eerbied (reverence) and eerbiediging (the act of showing reverence); the phrase met eerbied (with reverence) is frequently used.

See also: eerbied, verering, eren, respecteren.