idolize

verb

idol·​ize ˈī-də-ˌlīz 

idolized; idolizing

transitive verb

: to worship as a god

broadly : to love or admire to excess

… the common people whom he so idolized.

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

: to practice idolatry

idolization

ˌī-də-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

idolizer

ˈī-də-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of idolize

• adore
• worship
• like

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

As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026

That combination of down-home tradition and larger-than-life ambition makes Fuerza Regida the type of band young Mexican boys idolize. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026

And typical of young Wild fans of the late 2000s, the 6-year old Brink idolized Marian Gaborik, scoring goals and winning games while wearing jersey number 10 in Minnesota. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026

The final image of Friday’s game was an embrace between Flagg and Tatum, who Flagg idolized as a kid. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for idolize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

idolize

verb

idol·​ize ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌīz 

idolized; idolizing

: to worship as an idol : love or admire too much

idolization

ˌīd-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən

noun

idolizer

ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌī-zər 

noun