as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person
fans of the team are well known for their idolatry of the quarterback
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Recent Examples of idolatry
The horror movie, starring Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, explores the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost.
—
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Majors' painfully awkward gym rat goes down a spectacularly bad path of protein shakes, steroids, rage issues, misplaced idolatry and macho posedowns in an effort to craft the perfect physique.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 July 2025
The Muhammad Ali Center previously told The Courier Journal the cultural center doesn't have a statue of Ali out of respect for his Islamic faith, which forbids idolatry.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
As religions developed and faiths were defined in Biblical texts and commentaries, teachings began to distinguish between veneration and idolatry.
—Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for idolatry
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Majors' painfully awkward gym rat goes down a spectacularly bad path of protein shakes, steroids, rage issues, misplaced idolatry and macho posedowns in an effort to craft the perfect physique.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 July 2025
The Muhammad Ali Center previously told The Courier Journal the cultural center doesn't have a statue of Ali out of respect for his Islamic faith, which forbids idolatry.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
As religions developed and faiths were defined in Biblical texts and commentaries, teachings began to distinguish between veneration and idolatry.
—Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for idolatry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolatry
Noun
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Three region locations were among the 24 congregations statewide to receive grants through the nonprofit’s Sacred Places Indiana Fund to address capital needs at historic houses of worship.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
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Teitz, said their yeshiva is the only Jewish house of worship in town, where forty roughly high-school age students attend.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As fans became critics, as hate replaced adoration, Dent shut down, his coach at Centennial High, Joshua Giles, described to the Southern California News Group.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Steady drums, chants and adoration roll for 90 minutes.—
Theo Lloyd-Hughes,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Afternoons are made for fresh piña coladas, languid sun worshipping, and offshore adventures on motorboats fully stocked with snorkels, fins, and local beer.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
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Some might be inclined to label Lee as an early cult leader, with her extreme views on sexuality, somatic-style worshipping rituals rooted in dance and song as well as her desire to build a self-sufficient, utopian community outside of mainstream society.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idolatry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolatry. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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