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
Leo used his homily at Mass in the Monaco stadium to do just that, urging the faithful to reject the type of idolatry that has enslaved people in cycles of war and injustice.
—
Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
As a cipher, the Discobolus can either represent Pollak’s humanistic ethos of a cosmopolitan society or the idolatries of Hitler’s blood-and-soil fascism.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
These all may be interpreted as acts of idolatry.
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for idolatry
Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
As a cipher, the Discobolus can either represent Pollak’s humanistic ethos of a cosmopolitan society or the idolatries of Hitler’s blood-and-soil fascism.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
These all may be interpreted as acts of idolatry.
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for idolatry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolatry
Noun
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In its previous life, the building was home to the Manhattan Congregational Church, organized in the 1890s; architects Stoughton & Stoughton completed the house of worship in 1901.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
2 June 2026
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Music performed in houses of worship was thought to be intended for the glory of God, not for the pleasure of the congregation — now often actually referred to as the audience.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Noun
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After the meeting, Babbitt relished in the adoration of supporters who had waited nearly a decade to come to this point.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
New York Tendaberry, released in the fall of 1969, mostly consists of Nyro alone at the piano, delivering songs that eschewed and subverted most of the characteristics that had won her attention and adoration throughout the preceding decade.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
By the nail holes above and beside the worshiping altar, the household hung garlands.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Idolatry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolatry. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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