as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person
the mass idolization of the Renaissance artist continues to this day
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Recent Examples of idolization
The idolization of Steve Spurrier, dating a UF alum and understanding of Florida recruiting after a stint at FAU rang seemed to work in his favor.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
But even more clear to me this go-around was that Bella's idolization of Edward comes from a horrifyingly insecure place.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
But even more clear to me this go-around was that Bella's idolization of Edward comes from a horrifyingly insecure place.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolization
Noun
-
The House and Senate recently passed a bill (HB 95/SB 52) that would exempt volunteers who provide armed security services at churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship from the required Class D and G licenses held by professional security services.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Housed in the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Fillmore Street in the city's Western Addition, the venue has transformed a once-traditional place of worship into a vibrant community hub centered around music, movement and connection.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Although there was merch for sale, including T-shirts and vinyl copies of A Good Night in the Ghetto, the complimentary keepsake was just one example of the mutual adoration shared between the performer and her supporters.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In the first act, a love potion instantly transforms contempt into adoration.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As Venus and Neptune align, beware of conflating love and idolatry!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 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,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 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
Noun
-
The shift started in earnest with the adulation Ichiro Suzuki received upon his arrival in Major League Baseball in 2001.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But the potential adulation, superior high-end driving and desire for performance come at a supreme cost.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In this plane of existence, though, these reports of abuse will at least put an end to his much undeserved deification by Mexican-American and other activists.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Stalin saw the symphony as his deification.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolization. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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