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

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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

The hundreds of millions of people who follow her are aware of this disconnect and embrace the contrived aspect of her persona in a way that’s more meta than classic Hollywood hero worship. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for hero-worship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship

Verb

But for those of us who adore the 1995 film, unfavorable comparisons seem inevitable.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
One of the most notable moments — and the scene apparently being filmed — was a sequence of shots showing the three bandmembers running away from swarps of adoring fans.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 20 Sep. 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

In most Quaker houses of worship, there is no clergy, pulpit or altar.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Muslim American scholars and civic leaders say sharia primarily guides worship, ethics and personal conduct, and that its demonization misrepresents ordinary religious practices while fueling anti-Muslim fear.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

Meanwhile, players like tight end Mike Gesicki (five catches, 78 yards, one touchdown) and running back Chase Brown (56 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, one touchdown) opened the season on a strong note.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Consensus is overrated Chang likes to argue — with friends, over food.

— Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

The jury noted the film, which had its world premiere at Oldenburg, was made without a budget and praised the resourcefulness that constraint produced, comparing its tone to the irreverence of 1990s comedies.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
To thunderous applause, Kirchner praised the expansive welfare programs of his mother's presidency, which ended over a decade ago.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
So, too, do the antics of his estate manager (a buoyant Sam Adegoke), always concocting money-making schemes, and the wide-eyed adoration of the girl next door (Amelia Mason, deftly balancing naïveté with seductiveness), who wants to save him.

— Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of adoration

Verb

The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Williams watched the record-breaking performance on TV from his home in Glen Ellyn and called Crow-Armstrong after the game to congratulate the 24-year-old.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Browse Nearby Words

heroizing

hero-worship

hero worship

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Style

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hero-worship

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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