idolize
verb
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
Synonyms
Examples of idolize in a Sentence
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
Growing up, Robert LeSage and his two older brothers, Richard and David, idolized their father.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2023
Ramon Estevez, 60 On Aug. 7, 1963, Martin and Janet welcomed their second son Ramon Estevez — his father's namesake — in N.Y.C.
From a young age, Ramon was interested in entertaining and was drawn to acting, singing and dancing, especially idolizing Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023
Aaron, an intelligent kid, idolized his dad and wanted to be just like him, Young said.
—Jeong Park, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2023
As a young girl, Spears idolized the star—and wanted to be like her.
—TIME, 20 Oct. 2023
Tonantzin and the Virgen de Guadalupe — revered and pure — are idolized, whereas Coatlicue (Aztec mother goddess) and La Llorona are objectified.
—Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
Anthony Richardson news The making of a QB:Chasing Tim Tebow, idolizing Tom Brady, fighting fires
Supporting cast:Have the Colts done enough to help Richardson?
—Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023
The exemplary qualities extend to the actress’s embodiment of Eva, who seems elementally connected to the working-class public that idolized her.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023
Shooting is underway in Rome on the sophisticated comedy, in which Doillon — a model, actor and singer-songwriter, like her half-sister Charlotte Gainsbourg — plays an eclectic, successful singer who strikes up a turbulent friendship with a younger female musician who idolizes her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Sep. 2023
See More
Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2023
Ramon Estevez, 60 On Aug. 7, 1963, Martin and Janet welcomed their second son Ramon Estevez — his father's namesake — in N.Y.C.
From a young age, Ramon was interested in entertaining and was drawn to acting, singing and dancing, especially idolizing Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023
Aaron, an intelligent kid, idolized his dad and wanted to be just like him, Young said.
—Jeong Park, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2023
As a young girl, Spears idolized the star—and wanted to be like her.
—TIME, 20 Oct. 2023
Tonantzin and the Virgen de Guadalupe — revered and pure — are idolized, whereas Coatlicue (Aztec mother goddess) and La Llorona are objectified.
—Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
Anthony Richardson news The making of a QB:Chasing Tim Tebow, idolizing Tom Brady, fighting fires
Supporting cast:Have the Colts done enough to help Richardson?
—Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023
The exemplary qualities extend to the actress’s embodiment of Eva, who seems elementally connected to the working-class public that idolized her.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023
Shooting is underway in Rome on the sophisticated comedy, in which Doillon — a model, actor and singer-songwriter, like her half-sister Charlotte Gainsbourg — plays an eclectic, successful singer who strikes up a turbulent friendship with a younger female musician who idolizes her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idolize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Dictionary Entries Near idolize
Cite this Entry
“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idolize. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on idolize
Nglish: Translation of idolize for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of idolize for Arabic Speakers
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