1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much
people who hero-worship celebrities are setting themselves up for disappointment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overpraise
to praise too much
a golfing pro who is hero-worshipped by hordes of weekend duffers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person
once the object of uncritical hero worship, the aging quarterback now faces the derision of his team's fickle fans
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hero-worship
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025
There’s a kitschy, romantic, hero-worshipping nostalgia to the image, as if Norman Rockwell had undergone a lobotomy.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
Sarah Scott, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Prone to hero worship early on, Drake hashed out his style in public, dabbling in rap while working on the Canadian teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
Verb
In an accompanying statement, Yungblud said that the record explores the theme of hero-worship.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025
There’s a kitschy, romantic, hero-worshipping nostalgia to the image, as if Norman Rockwell had undergone a lobotomy.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
The young girl's feelings of being left out and ostracized by her peers likely led her to the group—which experts say is a dangerous mix of hero worship and unhealthy messaging about how to cope with bullying.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Prone to hero worship early on, Drake hashed out his style in public, dabbling in rap while working on the Canadian teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship
Verb
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To tell the jokes that make others groan, but to do it wholeheartedly and keep the faith that there are people out there — their people — who will not only indulge, but truly adore, their senses of humor.—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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Besides the delicious sandwiches, the mango and papaya parfait was particularly delightful and light, and the chocolate cake came adored with a pink butterfly.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Know-nothings pretend that Schrader’s Bressonian mannerisms reveal the spiritual depths of contemporary crisis, when, in fact, Master Gardener repeats the same social-collapse paranoia that made secular reviewers overpraise the religious, racial, suicide-bomber topics of First Reformed.—
Armond White,
National Review,
24 May 2023
Noun
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As Kirk had been outspoken in his Christian faith, contemporary Christian music featured prominently in the proceedings — including performances from some of the biggest names in contemporary worship music, paying tribute to Kirk.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
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Revered by all three Abrahamic religions, the psalms were often recited, read, and sung in routine worship.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deilus has found that many of her customers like to style vintage books on shelves or coffee tables and will keep her eyes peeled for interesting titles while thrifting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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For those who like to stay on top of their workout routine while traveling, The Fifth also features an on-site Fitness Suite with modern equipment.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnson praised the president’s campaign advising Salvadorans on how to stay healthy during COVID-19.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Dean and Dan Caten recalled meeting Armani during many summer holidays throughout the Mediterranean and also praised his generosity toward them and young designers.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Thousands stomped in the bleachers, creating rumbling waves of adoration.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
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Read more about this place's investment in and adoration of the sport here.—
Payton Titus,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Children all over the world grow up idolizing Lionel Messi, but for Mateo Silvetti, Inter Miami’s latest signing, his admiration for the Argentine icon is personal.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
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But the only clear finding so far, law enforcement officials said, was that the attacker had come to idolize mass shooters, particularly those who have killed children.—
Ernesto Londoño,
Twin Cities,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both Jeremy and Evi joined the couple for their engagement festivities and congratulated them in separate Instagram Stories.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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Please join me in congratulating Peter on his new role and in welcoming him to Amazon.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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