1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much
materialistic people who deify money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to venerate
to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power
some ancient pagans deified such objects of nature as trees and rivers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to
the sense of entitlement felt by athletes who have been deified all their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deify
As a consequence, people, still possessed by religious longings, tend to deify the country.
—
Ha Jin
july 28, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025
Giuliani was pretty unpopular by the end of his second term and then 9/11 happened and he was deified.
—Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
While the titan from Krypton can often seem stoic and deified, Corenswet's Kal-El can be quite passionate about his views and express them loudly.
—EW.com, 10 June 2025
His resume speaks for itself — no need for the on-air cast to go overboard in deifying him.
—Richard Deitsch, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deify
Ha Jin
july 28, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025
Giuliani was pretty unpopular by the end of his second term and then 9/11 happened and he was deified.
—Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
While the titan from Krypton can often seem stoic and deified, Corenswet's Kal-El can be quite passionate about his views and express them loudly.
—EW.com, 10 June 2025
His resume speaks for itself — no need for the on-air cast to go overboard in deifying him.
—Richard Deitsch, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deify
Verb
-
Above all, though, Melissa and Mark Hortman were parents who adored their children.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
This series feels like the ultimate fan-service spinoff, since Yellowstone fans seem to adore the Beth/Rip romance.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Olivier was venerated as a Shakespearean actor, playing many iconic protagonists in London including Hamlet, Henry V, Macbeth and, controversially, Othello.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
-
Catholics may venerate saints and ask them to intercede with God on their behalf.—
Bridget Retzloff,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
What truly sets it apart is the decadent foie gras aioli that adds a velvety, indulgent texture and a depth of flavor that elevates every bite.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which degrades collagen and slows barrier recovery.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Mother African Union Church was founded decades before Juneteenth, born out of racist policies and structures that excluded people of African descent from worshipping freely.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Today, the church congregations now worship as Hope United Methodist Church at 7320 Northcote Ave.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Its sprawling cave system holds the relics of dozens of saints revered by both churches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
When the Obama Presidential Center opens June 19, there will be little to celebrate or revere regarding his foreign policy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
When the company launched Fox One, its new subscription streaming service aimed at cord cutters, Murdoch forbid the company from promoting the outlet to traditional TV audiences, a bid to ensure the new platform wouldn’t upset its relationships with cable and video distributors.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Tom Holland and Zendaya made promoting their new movie look like a casual date moment.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
And on the other hand, there've been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.—
Mark Guarino,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
Tom and Evan hear eight bell tolls at the close of the finale, suggesting that Widow’s Bay would like another eight souls.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Jupiter — exalted in Cancer — brings expansion to themes of intuition, emotional intelligence, family bonds and home life.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Onstage, Michael is exalted, transfigured, fully alive, with neither fear nor shame.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deify. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
