CANONIZE Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

canonize

verb

ˈka-nə-ˌnīz

Definition of canonize

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of canonize She was canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI to become Saint Bernadette. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 Italian-Americans even launched a campaign to have the explorer canonized. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 The film doesn’t canonize Heumann, instead showing her as dedicated leader who is also prickly, brash, and set in her ways. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized by Pope Paul VI, becoming the first person born in what's now the United States to be named a Roman Catholic saint. — USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize

Verb

The two shared a friendship adored by fans, often seen greeting each other with an affectionate kiss on the lips whether on TV programs or on the red carpet.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026
Stewart was adored by his collaborators and the public alike.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

The victory denies Abbott a fourth term and elevates an Austin state representative who built her campaign around public education, household costs and criticism of the state's Republican leadership.

— Blaise Gainey, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
The election also elevates a number of state and gubernatorial candidates who made stricter regulation of data centers a key part of their campaigns.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

Louella and Hedda were two sides of the same coin, minted in a culture that worshipped celebrity and feared moral chaos.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026
Sharia is a form of guidance about how Muslims should live and worship, akin to the messages of the Ten Commandments.

— Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

Rather than campaign for Whatley, he's been promoting his new book criticizing fellow Republicans.

— Colin Campbell, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
The pastor successfully converted his personal popularity into votes by promoting unity — both among Kansans and between political parties.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Surveys have repeatedly shown that Americans don't like the current clock changes, with lawmakers and physicians blaming the regular time shifts for drowsiness, inconveniences and even risks to health.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Social convention dictates that you not be caught liking Hoffman’s posts or following her yourself.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

Officials determined that for true independence, the commission and the compliance office must be permanently enshrined in the county charter.

— Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Virginia, Idaho and Nevada would enshrine laws that would give people the right to make their own reproductive rights decisions and privacy over those decisions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of enshrine

Browse Nearby Words

canonical

canonize

canonized

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“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of canonize

verb

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