idolatry

noun

idol·​a·​try ī-ˈdä-lə-trē 

plural idolatries

1

: the worship of a physical object as a god

2

: immoderate attachment or devotion to something

Synonyms

• adulation
• deification
• hero worship
• idolization
• worship
• worshipping
• worshiping

Examples of idolatry in a Sentence

fans of the team are well known for their idolatry of the quarterback

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike most contemporary acts subject to mass idolatry, Wolf Alice’s online presence (which, historically, has been minimal) has never been part of the appeal. —Sophie Williams, Billboard, 1 May 2025

The third exposes the attacks on empathy as idolatry, because they are based on the worship of power. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Empathy rather than the idolatry of power will actually make our nation strong. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Miracle workers, moreover, often become the subjects of so much popular devotion that their authority can begin to approach idolatry or rival that of the Church itself. —Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ydolatrie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin idolatria, alteration of Late Latin idololatria, from Greek eidōlolatreia, from eidōlon idol + -latreia -latry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing idolatry

• self-idolatry

Kids Definition

idolatry

noun

idol·​a·​try ī-ˈdäl-ə-trē 

plural idolatries

1

: the worship of an idol as a god

2

: very great attachment or devotion to something