idolize

verb

idol·​ize ˈī-də-ˌlīz 

idolized; idolizing

transitive verb

: to worship as a god

broadly : to love or admire to excess

… the common people whom he so idolized.

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

: to practice idolatry

idolization

ˌī-də-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

idolizer

ˈī-də-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of idolize

• adore
• worship
• like

Examples of idolize in a Sentence

an actor who is idolized by millions

she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults

Recent Examples on the Web

Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town). — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 July 2026

One of six children, Tyler grew up idolizing Tina Turner and Janis Joplin and singing hymns in the Anglican church her parents attended. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 9 July 2026

The Muslim teen from Jersey City idolizes Captain Marvel and the Avengers but doesn't dare dream of being like them. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 July 2026

The Vallejo product scored in double figures in all three games, balancing on- and off-ball responsibilities as a 6-foot-3 combo guard who grew up idolizing Baron Davis and Steph Curry. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for idolize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

idolize

verb

idol·​ize ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌīz 

idolized; idolizing

: to worship as an idol : love or admire too much

idolization

ˌīd-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən

noun

idolizer

ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌī-zər 

noun