I post this in support of the word "Venerate; Veneration" having the same meaning as "Worship"
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From "Webster's New World College Dictionary" For those who do not have a Dictionary

Venerate (ven'ar at') vt. –at'ed, -at'ing [ &lt; L veneratus, pp. of venerani, To Worship, reverence <venus (gen. veneris ), love: see VENUS ] to look upon with feelings of deep respect; regard as venerable; revere. – SYN, REVERE – venerator n.

The primary meaning of "Venerate" is given as "Worship"

Worship (wur'ship) n. [ ME worschip < OE weorthscipe, honor, dignity, worship:] 1a) reverence or devotion for a deity; religious homage or veneration b) a church service or other rite showing this 2 extreme devotion or intense love or admiration of any kind 3 [b]W[/b]-] [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a title of honor: used in speaking to or of magistrates, mayors, or certain others holding high rank: preceded by Your or by His or Her 4 [Rare] something w2orshiped 5 [Rare] a distinct type or religious group, as a sect 6 [Archaic] greatness of character; honor; dignity; worthiness -- vt. –shiped or –shipped, - shiping or –shipping 1 to show religious devotion or reverence for; adore or venerate as a deity 2 to have intense love or admiration for; adore or idolize ---

Worship is Veneration this shows that the two words are interchangeable, with both having the same basic meaning.

Synonyms == (words that have the same basic meaning as the one you are using.)
[of like meaning or like name < syn-, together + onyma, a Name] 1 a word having the same or nearly the same meaning in one or more senses as another in the same language

See the synonyms below

Worship
Adoration
Love
Reverence
Respect
Devotion
Adulation
Veneration
Adore

Veneration
Worship
Adoration
Reverence
Respect
Admiration
Regard

Venerate
Revere
Worship
Adore
Idolize
Esteem
Honor
Respect