canonize

verb

ˈka-nə-ˌnīz How to pronounce canonize (audio)
Definition of canonizenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
  1. adore
  2. elevate
  3. worship
  4. promote
  5. like
  6. enshrine
Verb
  • Moments later, an unbothered Brown flung himself around the stadium, catering directly to his adoring, unwavering fans.
    — Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • On the sweet side, several of our editors adore Coop’s dessert sauces, which far exceed the usual grocery store stuff.
    — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • Shop Mack Weldon's wool crew neck sweaters and Buck Mason's corduroy jackets for the fashion-forward guy, plus Vuori sweatpants to elevate his loungewear drawer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Is McGraw destined to become the next Jesse Davis, or Nik Needham, the last two Dolphins players elevated from the practice squad to became multiseason starters for the franchise?
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of elevate
Verb
  • Its magical forest is filled with talking animals, tree-worshipping mystics, scheming functionaries, and the Dowager Governess (Carey Mulligan), an enchantress who commands an army of uniformed coyotes.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The long history of prejudice As religious studies scholar Michael Altman argues, the charge that Hindus worship false gods and idols took hold in American national culture nearly two centuries ago.
    — Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of worship
Verb
  • The canals will act as stormwater infrastructure for the island while promoting recreational activity, according to that document.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Still, they are promoted for a range of medical uses, including insomnia, anxiety, inflammatory conditions and migraines.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • On the other side is Gadi Eisenkot, a centrist former military chief who is temperate and broadly liked but lacks the political instincts to become a clear favorite.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Cougars stuffed all the ways Utah likes to run the ball until Dampier took matters into his own hands and posted a season high in rushing in electrifying style.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of like
Verb
  • Korean box dyes, candies and hangover cures enshrine the cash register.
    — Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In early 2025, DeSantis wanted the Legislature to enshrine Hope Florida into state law.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of enshrine

Browse Nearby Words

canonical
canonize
canonized
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Cite this Entry

“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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