HERO WORSHIP Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

hero-worship 1 of 2

verb

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō-ˌwər-ship

Definition of hero-worship

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

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

hero worship

2 of 2

noun

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

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 hero-worship

Verb

When The Athletic visited Tashkent for the March international break, the hero-worship hadn’t yet ceased; Cannavaro was applauded both into and out of the press conference room by journalists, while some asked for selfies. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026 In an accompanying statement, Yungblud said that the record explores the theme of hero-worship. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025

Noun

This is the vibe that Edgar Wright is chasing with his version of The Running Man, which hews closely to the original text with a fidelity bordering on hero worship. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025 Bruins players receive their share of glory and hero worship. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hero-worship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship

Verb

Among the Batman’s rogues whom the BTAS crew adored, Bane didn’t quite fit in, even beside relatively recent additions to the comics.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
The core of this roster has been scrutinized and adored and despised for years.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

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
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

Noun

Hamilton said his sermons are in line with beliefs held by the Catholic Church, mainline Christian faiths and some evangelical houses of worship.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Past and present Unfortunately, violence against Black places of worship is not relegated to America’s history.

— Jason Wollschleger, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

Russell likes to position the ponytail at the crown with the direction of the hair running parallel to the cheekbones.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
Why people don’t like it Some residents are worried about how these sprawling energy farms will affect local soil, especially near farmland.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

While many viewers praise the former child star as the beating heart of the series, her newfound success comes with heightened tabloid scrutiny, thecoverage wading into everything from her looks to her love life.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Mourinho stressed that actions speak louder than words, praising his squad's growing unity and dedication.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

Instant fame and all its trappings are something most people would love to marinate in, to soak up what almost always is fleeting adoration.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Another work, a small double-sided panel portraying the Virgin Mary and Child with a Franciscan friar in adoration on one side and the dead Christ in Pietà on the other, was also stolen.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of adoration

Verb

After the September 2025 shooting, law enforcement said the social media companies were slow to produce information about the shooter's online profiles, which included posts idolizing of other mass shooters.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
That era of Disney Channel was full of new movie soundtracks to play, dance moves to learn, and stars to idolize.

— Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of idolize

Verb

An emotional moment was then shown between the three of them, as well as players coming up to congratulate him afterwards.

— Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
But instead of congratulating their long-time colleague, her co-workers, under the orders of their department head, urged her to think again.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Browse Nearby Words

heroizing

hero-worship

hero worship

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hero-worship

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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