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
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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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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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Slater takes on the role of Bob Olson, the adored but flawed father at the heart of the story.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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Huse adored Chicago-style hot dogs, trips to Rainbow River and movies, especially old films.—
Gabrielle Calise,
Miami Herald,
3 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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Photographer Osama Fathi has captured a stunning view of Perseid meteors crossing the bright ribbon of the Milky Way over the ruins of an ancient settlement in Egypt dedicated to the worship of the crocodile god Soknopaios.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Declines in regular worship and denominational belonging can reshape community networks that historically have been tied to charity, schooling and local politics.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From the days of the James brothers to James Franklin, Kansas and Missouri haven’t liked each other for a long time.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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This might seem fussy, but no one likes watery pimiento cheese.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One fellow-freestyler praised her ingenuity but said that, in a creative category with many strong contenders, her victory was a bit disappointing.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Reviewers praise its atmospheric setting and rich world-building, but some criticised its punishing difficulty.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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His commentary across the film, which potently mixes 16mm film and contemporary digital imagery that encompass the multiple eras of Adrian’s life, switches between adoration and regret befitting a father still contending with such a devastating loss.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
3 Sep. 2025
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In theatrical Leo, the love planet brings passion and flair, heightening our desire for affection and adoration.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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In other words, as much as Maggie idolizes her teacher in the way that young people who weren’t loved enough as children project parent-like silhouettes onto their mentors, Maggie also might be building a case against Alma.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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But weeks later, as Biden was being sworn into office, Cawthorn would be one of 17 freshmen who wrote to Biden congratulating him on his election and asking for bipartisanship.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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