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
Relevance
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 by Pope John Paul II in 1995.
—
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Gaudí is on the path to possible sainthood, but he won’t be canonized during the pope’s trip, Spain’s bishops said Wednesday.
—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Gaudí is on the path to possible sainthood, but he won't be canonized during the pope's trip, Spain's bishops said Wednesday.
—
ABC News,
6 May 2026
From ancient epics to contemporary headlines, humans have spent centuries canonizing courage as a rare and admirable virtue.
—
Cynthia Pury,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canonize
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Gaudí is on the path to possible sainthood, but he won’t be canonized during the pope’s trip, Spain’s bishops said Wednesday.
—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Gaudí is on the path to possible sainthood, but he won't be canonized during the pope's trip, Spain's bishops said Wednesday.
—
ABC News,
6 May 2026
From ancient epics to contemporary headlines, humans have spent centuries canonizing courage as a rare and admirable virtue.
—
Cynthia Pury,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
-
To adore the literary greats but reject any modicum of pretension?
-
That’s how the Utah Jazz marketing department publicized the online sale of Darryn Peterson jerseys to adoring fans eager to purchase the uniform of the team’s first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Verb
-
Toxic metals, including lead and arsenic, were not elevated, according to air district data.
-
The black-eyed peas blended with garlic, tahini, and lemon makes for a smoky, zesty, and bright dish that elevates a standard hummus.
Verb
-
So people are looking to online forums to find that guidance, and to find those people to worship, in a way.
-
How long will families have to live on the edge of fear to remain on constant alert simply to worship, learn and gather in peace?
Verb
-
Good Chop is dedicated to providing the finest cuts of meat while promoting sustainable practices.
-
The company threw a lavish caviar party at Cannes and in May hosted panels promoting its cinematic tool at Amazon’s AI on the Lot event in Culver City.
Verb
-
But Alonso also likes to offset the industrial nature of concrete with warmth.
-
And that’s why Howard Zinn has sold 5 million copies, because teenagers sort of like to be in on something.
Verb
-
Trump sought to limit the long-standing constitutional principle – enshrined in the 14th Amendment in 1868 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 1898 – that those born in the United States are citizens.
-
In 2023, the New Mexico Supreme Court struck down this misguided rule, thereby restoring the public’s stream-access rights enshrined in the state constitution.
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
