HERO WORSHIP Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

hero-worship 1 of 2

verb

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō-ˌwər-ship

Definition of hero-worship

as in to adore

to love or admire too much people who hero-worship celebrities are setting themselves up for disappointment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overpraise

to praise too much a golfing pro who is hero-worshipped by hordes of weekend duffers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hero worship

2 of 2

noun

as in worship

excessive admiration of or devotion to a person once the object of uncritical hero worship, the aging quarterback now faces the derision of his team's fickle fans

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 hero-worship

Verb

When The Athletic visited Tashkent for the March international break, the hero-worship hadn’t yet ceased; Cannavaro was applauded both into and out of the press conference room by journalists, while some asked for selfies. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026 In an accompanying statement, Yungblud said that the record explores the theme of hero-worship. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025

Noun

This is the vibe that Edgar Wright is chasing with his version of The Running Man, which hews closely to the original text with a fidelity bordering on hero worship. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025 Bruins players receive their share of glory and hero worship. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hero-worship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship

Verb

Despite fans of the Gap brand adoring the original Happy Stripe sweater design, many found this new iteration to be lackluster in comparison.

— Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Set in Rome, Kentucky, the first When In Rome book centers Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fanbase.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.

— Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

Verb

Across both the 2026 and 2025 studies, participants still liked the spicier versions of each food.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Landscape painters liked the Connecticut River, and Nebel’s mentor, James Earle Fraser, designer of the Buffalo nickel and a lot of other Americana, had settled in Westport, building himself a custom studio.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026

Definition of like

Verb

During nine years as Manchester mayor, Burnham was praised standing up to central government on behalf of a proud, battle-scarred northern city that gave birth to the Industrial Revolution, movements for social change and a dynamic music scene.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
He’s been praised openly by his fellow receivers, cornerback Jaycee Horn and head coach Dave Canales over the past few days.

— Mike Kaye July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

His death sparked an outpouring of adoration from his Sopranos’ castmates, among others.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
One, a delight for the kitchen — the pressure, the camaraderie, the artist's heart, the pirate's adoration of heat and knives — and, another, hard drugs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of adoration

Verb

Fedorov, just 35 years old, has spent his career idolizing the startup, entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley, and sought to recreate it in Ukraine.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
The legend of Caitlin Clark was blossoming, with millions of average Americans idolizing her family-first background and humble Midwestern roots.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of idolize

Verb

Her mother in Kearney, Francesca Gambino Brown, congratulated her on social media last week as Brown prepares for the upcoming football season.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
The sibling duo, locked in a hug, then headed up through the stands together as others congratulated Yamal on Spain’s win.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Definition of congratulate

Browse Nearby Words

heroizing

hero-worship

hero worship

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hero-worship

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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