Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

genuflect

[jen-yoo-flekt] / ˈdʒɛn jʊˌflɛkt /
VERB
kneel
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Shows like “Top Chef” teach us to genuflect at the altars of celebrity culinarians, viewing their restaurants and signature dishes as luxury experiences as opposed to showing regular folks how to think innovatively about dinner.

From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2026

“Let’s use this moment, not to just genuflect toward the cause of good and right, let’s really do something,” he said “We know Shawnee children died at that mission. We want those kids’ names.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 23, 2021

It appeared in one of the thousands of recently released emails in which Dr. Fauci asserts in part: “I genuflect to no one but science.”

From Washington Post ● Jun. 17, 2021

Candidates now publicly genuflect before him, as Beto O’Rourke did when the former Texas congressman took the stage soon after the conference got underway Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2019

If I do it just right, the crowd gasps aloud — they genuflect, weep, stretch their hands out, and touch.

From "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village" by Laura Amy Schlitz

Mapplethorpe genuflects at the altar of that icon with a platinum portrait of Warhol, backed by a halo of light and surrounded by silk panels that form a cross.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

Without anything divine to revere, American home and landscape design largely genuflects at the altar of the market.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2025

The woman who holds the head genuflects with her soaking parcel.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 22, 2020

But “The Andromeda Evolution” genuflects appropriately to the 1969 novel that instantly infected pop culture.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 11, 2019

According to Baldeschi, the veil is removed from the celebrant when he genuflects in the predella, after having given the benediction.

From The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, December 1864 by Various

He hired people because they genuflected to him, not because they had any expertise.

From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2023

I almost genuflected in the doorway but restrained myself.

From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2022

I don’t recall whether we rose and genuflected upon the arrival of Big John, but doing so would’ve been appropriate.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 2, 2020

As he is wont to do, Bill Shaikin once again genuflected at the Dodger altar and — cue the harp music — sang the praises of Chase Utley.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2018

The priest genuflected and prayed at the first fall of Christ.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

“The fighters genuflecting before him, the commentators dapping him up, talking about how great it is that he’s here.”

From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026

The clip in question sees Deen sitting in the “Today Show” studio, practically genuflecting to the camera after being grilled for 15 straight minutes on live television.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2025

He’s genuflecting and appears penitent, it’s him with no public or private, shipwrecked in place in a way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2024

Over decades of presidential campaigns, the Iowa way has been to hop from town to town, taking questions from all comers and genuflecting to the local culinary traditions.

From New York Times ● Aug. 10, 2023

“Sorrento has tried everything but genuflecting, doing a little dance, and sticking his pinky finger in the keyhole.”

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline


Vocabulary lists containing genuflect

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com