1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much
a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to
those movie buffs who have canonized Alfred Hitchcock as filmdom's preeminent director
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canonize
Almost all the speakers leaned into deeply religious themes, canonizing Kirk and reflecting on his dedication as a Christian.
—
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
She was canonized in 1267 and became the patron saint of brides, widows, the poor and those whose children have died.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Since his death, two miracles have been attributed to him, and Pope Leo XIV canonized him Sunday.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Frassati, the other young Italian saint canonized on Sunday, was born into a prominent Turin family and is known for devoting himself to serving the poor and spreading the faith to his friends.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
She was canonized in 1267 and became the patron saint of brides, widows, the poor and those whose children have died.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Since his death, two miracles have been attributed to him, and Pope Leo XIV canonized him Sunday.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Frassati, the other young Italian saint canonized on Sunday, was born into a prominent Turin family and is known for devoting himself to serving the poor and spreading the faith to his friends.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
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One of Indiana's peskiest invasive plants, oriental bittersweet, was bought, sold and adored for almost 100 years in the United States before horticulturists started to raise concerns about the species.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
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Clara adores them, and rightly so.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While there have been many fine adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim's performance as the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge elevates this version to must-see status.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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There’s that kind of intensity and fuel that has fanned the fire of Mirador in someways that’s really elevated the band and the performances.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That gap gives congregations wide latitude to hire and restore youth pastors, worship leaders and other associate ministers — including those with histories of misconduct.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Exorcism of God (2021) The Vatican treats him like a king, and the parishioners worship his presence, but Father Peter Williams (Will Beinbrink) has been hiding an unspeakable secret for 18 years.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Similarly, the Interstate Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Legal Amazon Region brings together Amazonian states to curb deforestation, promote green agriculture and attract green investment.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Ausberry was promoted to the interim job in Woodward’s place, and the board gave him the authority to lead the coaching hire.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There’s a lot to like about the way the Sabres have played, though.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Choi likes to precut carrots, celery, onions and fennel.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The results of this vote will not enshrine the four-day week.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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Doing so, the judge wrote, would violate religious freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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