hero 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 adulation, deification, worship, idolatry, idolization, worshipping (also worshiping)Related Words adoration, deference, glorification, reverence, veneration; idealization, romanticization; affection, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love; appreciation, esteem, regard, respect; approvalNear Antonyms condemnation, disapproval, disfavor, dislike, dismissal, disregard, hatred, loathing, scorn