idol·ize
ˈī-də-ˌlīz 
idolized; idolizing
: to worship as a god
broadly
: to love or admire to excess
… the common people whom he so idolized. —
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
: to practice idolatry
idol·i·za·tion
variants
also British idolisation
ˌīdᵊlə̇ˈzāshən,
-ᵊlīˈz-
plural -s
Examples of idolize in a Sentence
Verb
an actor who is idolized by millions
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Lampposts and trash cans in the vicinity of the courthouse and neighboring streets have been covered with stickers idolizing him as a saintlike Robin Hood figure.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
The first name that caught his eye was Nicklas Lidstrom, the great Detroit Red Wing, whom Werenski idolized as a boy growing up in Michigan.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 2 June 2026
As a child Modrić idolized the Yugoslav (later Croatian) footballer Zvonimir Boban.
—Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
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Verb
As a filmmaker, your movies have helped shape people’s world views; obviously, many other directors idolize you.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Lampposts and trash cans in the vicinity of the courthouse and neighboring streets have been covered with stickers idolizing him as a saintlike Robin Hood figure.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
The first name that caught his eye was Nicklas Lidstrom, the great Detroit Red Wing, whom Werenski idolized as a boy growing up in Michigan.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 2 June 2026
As a child Modrić idolized the Yugoslav (later Croatian) footballer Zvonimir Boban.
—Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Cite this Entry
“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idolize. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
idolize
verb
idol·ize
ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌīz
idolized; idolizing
: to worship as an idol : love or admire too much
idolization
noun
ˌīd-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
