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
Walpole was canonized as a saint in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
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The StyleCaster team aboslutely adores Quince’s wide array of offerings.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
25 Mar. 2026
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Or Father John Misty, who will headline there for adoring fans on Sunday evening.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter Spike Lee hit the red carpet carrying a handbag designed by Detroit native Runyaro Richardson, a moment that quickly elevated her brand on a global stage.—
Lauren Winfrey,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Does Herb Sendek have it in him to elevate the Broncos to the top consistently in a depleted conference?—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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History meets future in new design First Baptist Dallas’ historic sanctuary served as a secondary, but beloved, worship space after its $130 million expansion was completed in 2013.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
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And others simply see crypto as a way to build wealth and devote more time to worship.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As technology has evolved, car shows have also become a stage to debut and promote emerging forms of transportation.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Several of her Instagram posts also included hashtags promoting Swift’s album.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s the opposite of the official government line, which has communism enshrined in the country’s constitution and has refused to open up the country’s economy.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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Amnesty International has said that the use of the death penalty under the new measure could violate the right to life and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as enshrined in international law.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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