idolize

verb idol·ize \ ˈī-də-ˌlīz \

Definition of idolize

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

play \ˌī-də-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

—

idolizer

play \ˈī-də-ˌlī-zər\ noun

See idolize defined for English-language learners

See idolize defined for kids

Examples of idolize in a Sentence

an actor who is idolized by millions
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge her considerable faults

Recent Examples of idolize from the Web

Trump idolizes swaggering commanders, such as the cinematic portrayal of George S. Patton Jr., the World War II general.

— author: robert costa, philip rucker, Alaska Dispatch News, "Military leaders gain influence throughout executive branch as they counsel president," 23 Aug. 2017
His kids grew up idolizing their neighbor, while dad wooed him on behalf of the Cowboys.

— jenny vrentas, The MMQB, "Warrick Dunn looks to change world with family-first attitude," 11 July 2017
As a young man growing up in a racing family, Tyler Gaffalione idolized jockey Jerry Bailey.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Gaffalione wins seven races on July 4, tying Gulfstream record," 5 July 2017
Putin hung onto the old system and idolized the strength of the Soviet state.

— kim hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "Putin used a dog to scare Merkel and other reasons they won't get along at G-20 summit," 3 July 2017
And our culture isn't not done exclusively idolizing thin body types, either.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Someone Actually Complimented Lily Collins on the Weight She Lost to Play an Anorexic Character," 29 June 2017
Last year, a boardwalk guest worker who grew up idolizing LeBron James drove from Point Pleasant Beach to Cleveland, scored an NBA Finals nosebleed seat and made it back in time for his shift.

— Time, "Where Did America's Summer Jobs Go?," 29 June 2017
Idolizing his fellow Canadian, the ABC news presenter Peter Jennings, Brûlé aspired to be an anchorman himself, and in his early twenties worked in London for the BBC.

— kyle chayka, New Republic, "Can Monocle's globalist chic survive in an age of populism?," 27 June 2017
His name was everywhere: on posters, buttons, souvenir books, T-shirts, hats, and homemade clothes that proclaimed with personal touches, admiration for a man idolized by millions.

— david lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Elvis Presley provoked cheers, jeers at final concert," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idolize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of idolize

1598

idolize Synonyms

Synonyms

adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hero-worship, worship

Related Words

appreciate, cherish, esteem, prize, treasure, value; fancy, favor, like, prefer; regard; hallow, respect, revere, venerate; approve, endorse (also indorse), support

Near Antonyms

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, disdain, dislike, hate, loathe; belittle, deprecate, disparage, misprize, put down

IDOLIZE Defined for English Language Learners

idolize

verb

Definition of idolize for English Language Learners

: to love or admire (someone) very much or too much

IDOLIZE Defined for Kids

idolize

verb idol·ize \ ˈī-də-ˌlīz \

Definition of idolize for Students

idolized; idolizing

:to love or admire greatly :make an idol of

The boy idolized his father.

Learn More about idolize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for idolize Spanish Central: Translation of idolize Nglish: Translation of idolize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of idolize for Arabic speakers

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First Known Use of idolize

idolize Synonyms

Synonyms

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IDOLIZE Defined for English Language Learners

idolize

Definition of idolize for English Language Learners

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idolize

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