as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person
fans of the team are well known for their idolatry of the quarterback
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 idolatry
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
Releasing ourselves from choice idolatry doesn’t have to mean letting someone else—an imperial president, for instance—decide for us.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for idolatry
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
Releasing ourselves from choice idolatry doesn’t have to mean letting someone else—an imperial president, for instance—decide for us.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for idolatry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolatry
Noun
-
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is making a map of public light displays at homes, houses of worship, schools and businesses.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Charles isn't the only royal to frequent St Mary Magdalene for worship.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Soon, the teens’ adoration for each other is at risk of becoming a nightmare.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Candyman, the Candyman franchise (1992–1999; 2021) Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) finds out that adoration and horror don't mix when she is faced with the attachment of the sinister Candyman (Tony Todd) in the 1992 film classic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Destroy this death worshipping, terroristic cult.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Hank Hill — stiff, sincere, propane-worshipping — wasn’t a joke.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idolatry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolatry. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share