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

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

McGonigle grew up in Aldan idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 1 July 2026

There’s friction between the defense lawyer Sam (Nick Nolte) and his wife, Leigh (Jessica Lange), rooted in Sam’s past infidelity and his current flirtations with a young courthouse clerk who idolizes him. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 June 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