Synonyms of idol

idol

noun

ˈī-dᵊl 

as in hero

a person who is the object of extreme or uncritical devotion

a movie star whose portrayal of a comic book superhero in a blockbuster series has made him the idol of millions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hero
• god
• icon
• model
• classic
• paragon
• ideal
• exemplar
• nonpareil
• beau ideal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of idol

Missing were Wallace’s early champion, Andre Harrell, who died in 2020; and Wallace’s idol Heavy D, who died suddenly in 2011. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

That certainly sounds cool, but hasn’t that always been the case for the franchise, when something like Exile Island, or a steal-a-vote, or a super-powered post-vote-reading immunity idol would randomly pop up from time to time? — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2026

Joachim Meyerhoff who was playing Gründgens, is an idol for me in German theater. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2026

He was often compared to Xavi (who was also his idol) because of his playing style. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026