he·ro-wor·ship
ˈhir-(ˌ)ō-ˌwər-ship 
hero-worshipped also hero-worshiped; hero-worshipping also hero-worshiping; hero-worships
: to feel or express deep respect for (a hero)
also
: to admire (someone) excessively or foolishly
hero-worshipper
noun
1
: veneration of a hero
2
: foolish or excessive adulation for an individual
Synonyms of hero-worship
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Verb
Noun
Examples of hero-worship in a Sentence
Verb
people who hero-worship celebrities are setting themselves up for disappointment
a golfing pro who is hero-worshipped by hordes of weekend duffers
Noun
He objects to the unthinking hero worship of great athletes by their fans.
once the object of uncritical hero worship, the aging quarterback now faces the derision of his team's fickle fans
Recent Examples on the Web
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 12 June 2025
In an accompanying statement, Yungblud said that the record explores the theme of hero-worship.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
The state media and government representatives push militarism and self-sacrifice; school curricula endlessly celebrate Russian war victories; theaters obediently stage works of communist-era patriotic authors; and cities display army recruitment banners and hero worship posters.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
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Verb
That Jesko then resists hero-worship of her, especially as the documentary is produced by Walters’ longtime home ABC News, where Jesko herself has worked, is all the more impressive.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 12 June 2025
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
The state media and government representatives push militarism and self-sacrifice; school curricula endlessly celebrate Russian war victories; theaters obediently stage works of communist-era patriotic authors; and cities display army recruitment banners and hero worship posters.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
Cite this Entry
“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hero-worship. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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