as in biography
disapproving
a book about someone's life that makes it seem better than it really is or was
a hagiography of the leader written by one of his closest confidants
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Recent Examples of hagiography
This is hagiography fit for an age that prefers its heroes to be relatable.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Some of the hagiographies of Francis were written shortly after his death in 1226.
—Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
But Burns and Botstein don’t give them the hagiography treatment.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025
Evaluations for top performers read as hagiographies.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hagiography
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Some of the hagiographies of Francis were written shortly after his death in 1226.
—Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
But Burns and Botstein don’t give them the hagiography treatment.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025
Evaluations for top performers read as hagiographies.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hagiography
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hagiography
Noun
-
The first and third items in this indictment are indisputable; the second is a complicated and qualified matter; and the last two are libels, still part of popular legend no matter how often disproved by serious biography.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
While Italian producers initially pitched him the Colm Tóibín fictional biography of Thomas Mann, the filmmaker rejected making a biopic.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Years later, in her memoir, Staton wrote about an incident during their relationship where Carter allegedly beat her.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hagiography.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hagiography. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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