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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Recent Examples of canonize
He's known for reshaping the Scottish government, expanding royal authority and being one of the few Scottish kings to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
In the days after Kirk’s killing, that concern spilled into public view, as attempts by Netanyahu and prominent supporters of Israel to canonize the Turning Point founder as a Zionist to the end were refuted by Kirk’s close associates, many of whom are major players in the MAGA movement.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The teen died of leukemia in 2006 and was canonized in September.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
The Saints episode about Saint Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who was canonized in September after dying from leukemia in 2006, was neither Francesca's first time in the director's chair nor her first time directing her father.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
In the days after Kirk’s killing, that concern spilled into public view, as attempts by Netanyahu and prominent supporters of Israel to canonize the Turning Point founder as a Zionist to the end were refuted by Kirk’s close associates, many of whom are major players in the MAGA movement.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The teen died of leukemia in 2006 and was canonized in September.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
The Saints episode about Saint Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who was canonized in September after dying from leukemia in 2006, was neither Francesca's first time in the director's chair nor her first time directing her father.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
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Sweet alyssum has clusters of flowers with a honey fragrance, and pollinators adore it.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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Reluctant to leave him alone, Henry insists Bill come to stay with him and his wife Pat (Katie McGrath), giving him time also with his adoring niece Debby (Tallulah Cavanaugh).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Casetta Group, known for elevating boutique hotels, acquired Casa Cody in 2017 and renovated the property in 2020—updating the rooms while maintaining the unique charm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Research shows that oral glutathione supplementation was effective in elevating reserve levels of GSH in the body which impacted immune function and levels of oxidative stress.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At Karmel Mall’s prayer hall, where hundreds worshiped daily, congregations were less than half their usual size, Sabri said.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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You’re encouraged to admire them, to worship them.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prominent surfing family Van Dyke, originally from Santa Cruz, California, was recognized in the international surfing community for his participation in competitions and his influence in promoting the sport in the Caribbean region.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Books published in the last few years by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Amy Coney Barrett were published in September, allowing time for the justices to promote them before diving into a new term.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since then, my father-in-law has become engaged to a woman who, frankly, is not liked by anyone in our family.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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Grackles gatherings then and now Where in Central Texas do grackles like to congregate in the winter?—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These rights, enshrined in case law, shaped how the modern university operates.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
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His contributions are enshrined at his alma mater.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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