deify

verb

ˈdē-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce deify (audio)
Definition of deifynext
1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much materialistic people who deify money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to venerate
to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power some ancient pagans deified such objects of nature as trees and rivers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to the sense of entitlement felt by athletes who have been deified all their lives

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 deify As a consequence, people, still possessed by religious longings, tend to deify the country. — Ha Jin july 28, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025 Giuliani was pretty unpopular by the end of his second term and then 9/11 happened and he was deified. — Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025 While the titan from Krypton can often seem stoic and deified, Corenswet's Kal-El can be quite passionate about his views and express them loudly. — EW.com, 10 June 2025 His resume speaks for itself — no need for the on-air cast to go overboard in deifying him. — Richard Deitsch, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deify
  1. adore
  2. venerate
  3. elevate
  4. worship
  5. revere
  6. promote
  7. like
  8. exalt
Verb
  • As John walks several miles to catch up to Hal (who takes pictures with adoring fans at a taco stand), a holographic construct of a younger Hal emerges from the ring and briefly interacts with John.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Sending so much love and light to her family, friends, and everyone who adored her.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • Other venerated South Side joints included Pepper’s Lounge, the Dew Drop Inn, and Theresa’s Lounge, the latter of which was tucked away in the basement of an apartment building.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • Not asked enough by those who venerated Graham is why in death the patriot’s name must be associated with what’s so inimical to American prosperity and freedom.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of venerate
Verb
  • While increasing volumes of the oil are finding routes out of the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, keeping energy prices elevated and pushing up global inflation.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Parker says to remove any jewelry from the affected limb, elevate it above the heart, and head to the emergency room.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of elevate
Verb
  • This meant unofficial gods—including those of the Jews, Syrians, and later Christians—could be worshipped there.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The leaders take over business to enrich themselves and force the population to worship them.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of worship
Verb
  • In time, generations of directors and studio execs who came up revering trailblazing path set by 1970s New Hollywood titans like Coppola would come to fundamentally see the sequel in a different light as a result.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his career in Oklahoma City, where he is still wildly cheered and revered as the godfather of Thunder basketball.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of revere
Verb
  • Perhaps Patrick Dorgu should stay on the left, but given United would be expected to have much more of the ball against promoted Hull next Saturday, Matheus Cunha would likely get in there for his attacking flair.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Wrangler and Lee owner Kontoor Brands has promoted Joseph Alkire to president and chief financial officer.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Law likes Bobby’s dye pattern, but Willy and Heidi both think the dress’s baggy, circular shape is unflattering.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Glasner has the energy of a man who doesn’t want to be liked, but does want to be admired.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of like
Verb
  • This has been an awesome showcase of American community, with our own USMNT support and other countries’ diasporas springing up exalting watch parties all over the place.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Mary’s valley of sin was exalted and Simon’s mountain of pride was made low through the love of God.
    — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
Definition of exalt

Browse Nearby Words

deifies
deify
deifying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deify. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on deify

Nglish: Translation of deify for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All