hero-worship 1 of 2

verb

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō-ˌwər-ship How to pronounce hero-worship (audio)
Definition of hero-worshipnext
1
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
2
as in to overpraise
to praise too much a golfing pro who is hero-worshipped by hordes of weekend duffers

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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

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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
  1. adore
  2. overpraise
  3. worship
  4. like
  5. praise
  6. adoration
  7. idolize
  8. congratulate
Verb
  • Situated in an elegant French neoclassical building in Barcelona’s Eixample district, the hotel puts you just footsteps away from luxury shopping, restaurants adored by locals, and masterpieces by Gaudí and other Spanish architects.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • This French onion pasta side dish is loaded with deep, savory flavors that our recipe testers adored.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 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
Noun
  • Historically, the Catholic Church had denied religious funerals inside its houses of worship as well as traditional burials for those who died in this way.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Nearby are the Druidical worship sites of Avebury and Stonehenge; there is a Celtic burial ground hidden in one of Ashcombe's deep, romantic coombes.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026
Definition of worship
Verb
  • Shilpa's incredible pie crust has cream cheese in it or there are many pie makers that like to use lard or shortenings.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2026
  • And what that’s telling us is that there’s a molecule, ozone in that case, that really likes to absorb that wavelength of light and therefore make the planet appear a little bit larger.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2026
Definition of like
Verb
  • Leaders from India’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have publicly praised bhajan clubbing gatherings.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Magazine, praising Swift's ability to handle intense public scrutiny.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of praise
Noun
  • Marylanders showed their adoration by naming Montgomery County for him.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, since the Scaloni era’s unprecedented winning streak, Argentineans’ adoration of Messi has, at last, become unconditional.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
Definition of adoration
Verb
  • 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
Definition of idolize
Verb
  • Her Instagram followers congratulated her on the memorable catch.
    — Lisa Gutierrez July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother James were also waiting to congratulate her, posing for group photos at the scene.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of congratulate

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hero-worship
hero worship
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Cite this Entry

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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