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
Saints are persons in heaven who were officially canonized or not who did one of the following, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Lived heroically virtuous lives.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 May 2025
His successor, Benedict XVI, waived the waiting period, allowing John Paul to be canonized nine years after his death.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Finding those miracles will be the next step if Gaudí is to beatified and then canonized.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
He’s told not to wear a bald cap and makeup to better resemble the president, so that his likeness can instead be canonized with el-Sisi’s.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 May 2025
His successor, Benedict XVI, waived the waiting period, allowing John Paul to be canonized nine years after his death.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Finding those miracles will be the next step if Gaudí is to beatified and then canonized.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
He’s told not to wear a bald cap and makeup to better resemble the president, so that his likeness can instead be canonized with el-Sisi’s.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
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His final appearance at Allianz Parque against Sporting Cristal in May was marked with the emotional presentation of a poster and a plaque, a goal and an assist, and a standing ovation from his adoring fans.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Those more interested in a classic floral scent, however, will adore Gucci Bloom—a sophisticated blend of tuberose, jasmine, and Rangoon creeper.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, remains elevated at 2.5%.—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
19 June 2025
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It’s already commonly featured in things like mole, a traditional Mexican sauce that combines chili peppers and cocoa, among other ingredients, but can also elevate dishes where it’s not typically used—like in a rich and earthy vinaigrette or in chili where its bitter notes will add extra depth.—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
18 June 2025
Verb
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The soccer star in question, of course, was a certain Lionel Andrés Messi, for whom the masses had made their pilgrimage to worship, as his Inter Miami took on Portuguese giant FC Porto in the second matchday of Group A.—
Glen Levy,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
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The group argued that allowing Oak Flat, a place where the Apache have worshiped for generations, to be destroyed would have significant religious freedom implications.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Channels can also pay to be promoted to the app's 1.5 billion users.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
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Musk Therapy blends bergamot, mandarin, magnolia, sandalwood, and musks to promote wellbeing, while the Atomic Rose adds intensity with Bulgarian and Turkish rose, jasmine, and sweet vanilla.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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So, having family and friends there, so many reasons to like it.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
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The San Diego native liked watching YouTube videos of then-St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina throwing runners out.—
Noah Perkins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Heading westward since the 2014 Maidan Revolution and Russia’s subsequent invasion of Crimea and the Donbas, Ukrainians enshrined their NATO aspiration in their constitution in 2019.—
Charles Kupchan,
Foreign Affairs,
20 June 2025
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The day, dubbed Juneteenth, reflects on a moment when the promise of freedom first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence became a reality for more of its citizens.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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