idolize

idol·ize

verb \ˈī-də-ˌlīz\

idol·izedidol·iz·ing

Definition of IDOLIZE

transitive verb

: to worship as a god; broadly : to love or admire to excess <the common people whom he so idolized — Times Literary Supplement>

intransitive verb

: to practice idolatry

— idol·i·za·tion \ˌī-də-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

— idol·iz·er \ˈī-də-ˌlī-zər\ noun

Examples of IDOLIZE

1. an actor who is idolized by millions
2. <she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge her considerable faults>

First Known Use of IDOLIZE

1598

Related to IDOLIZE

Synonyms: adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hero-worship, worship

Related Words: appreciate, cherish, esteem, prize, treasure, value; fancy, favor, like, prefer; regard; hallow, respect, revere, venerate; approve, endorse (also indorse), support

Near Antonyms: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, disdain, dislike, hate, loathe; belittle, deprecate, disparage, misprize, put down

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