Sample Sentences for
genuflect
grouped by contextual meaning
(editor-reviewed)

genuflect as in:  genuflect before entering the pew

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She genuflected and made the sign of the cross as she entered the church.
genuflected = bent a knee as a sign of respect
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    She is so respected, her colleagues nearly genuflect in her presence.
    genuflect = bend a knee in respect
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    Every time I stepped into his office, I felt the need to genuflect.  (source)
    genuflect = bent a knee as a sign of respect
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    "NOT ALL EPISCOPALIANS GENUFLECT," Owen announced.  (source)
    GENUFLECT = bent a knee as a sign of respect in church
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Show 10 more with 5 word variations
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    We flat out refused, but Mom went up in front of the mourners, genuflected with a grand sweep, and then kissed Erma's cheek so vigorously that you could hear the puckering sound throughout the chapel.  (source)
    genuflected = bent a knee as a sign of respect
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    Sorrento has tried everything but genuflecting, doing a little dance, and sticking his pinky finger in the keyhole.  (source)
    genuflecting = bending a knee as a sign of respect
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    That doesn't mean we have to genuflect when he says Mass.  (source)
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    But these heresies died when he read her last letter. He touched his breast pocket. It was a kind of genuflection.  (source)
    genuflection = sign of respect
    standard suffix: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.
  • •
    He had, in truth, drunk very little—not a fourth of the quantity which a systematic tippler could carry to church on a Sunday afternoon without a hitch in his eastings or genuflections; but the weakness of Sir John's constitution made mountains of his petty sins in this kind.†  (source)
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    Standing now, he faced the altar and genuflected three times.  (source)
    genuflected = bent a knee as a sign of respect
  • •
    She walked by without genuflecting or making the sign of the cross, then made herself stop and go back.†  (source)
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    The beggar made a feeble attempt to genuflect, sat down in a pew in the second row, crossed himself and knelt forward, his head in prayer, his right hand pushing back the left sleeve of his overcoat.†  (source)
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    She was busy with her hard sticky lupine tongue for only a second or two around Sophie's ear, fondled her breasts urgently, manhandled her buttocks, drew back with an expression of lust so intense that it was like some terminal anguish, then set about her serious labors, slumping earthward in genuflection and squeezing Sophie's hips roundabout with her arms.†  (source)
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    There was a general movement on the part of the assemblage—a bending forward in salaam by the more aged, a rising-up by the more courtierly, followed by low genuflections, hands upon the beard or breast.†  (source)
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genuflect as in:  genuflected in a letter of apology

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The ambitious executive was willing to genuflect before the board members, offering excessive flattery and obsequious praise in hopes of securing the promotion.
genuflect = grovel
Show 2 more with this contextual meaning
  • •
    And at 4:00 P.M., Dr. Jordan informed the genuflecting Japanese that he would gladly volunteer his most secret work on Visual Purple to these fine youngsters to aid them in their own research.  (source)
    genuflecting = excessively deferent
  • •
    She was keenly aware of all the little things that were done—the little genuflections and attentions of the waiters and head waiter which Americans pay for.  (source)
    genuflections = acts of deference
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