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
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Before her death in Chicago at age 67, Cabrini founded 67 schools, orphanages, hospitals, convents and places of worship in North and South America.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Abdur-Rahim Ali and others gathered at an Islamic Center on Friday, a day of worship for the Islamic community, where Nasir and his family visit often.—
Ashley Portillo,
CBS News,
23 May 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
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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
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Beyond her racial idolatry, Hill has nothing of substance to add to the conversation.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
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The two groups displayed a large balloon near the mall of a Trump-like golden calf, a biblical reference to idolatry.—
Tiffany Stanley,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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By the nail holes above and beside the worshiping altar, the household hung garlands.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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His father eventually joined him to receive the crowd’s adulation.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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In a way that no championship trophy ever could, Kirby Smart has an opportunity to take action that would bring him undying respect and adulation.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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After employees railed against Kirk’s deification by the right, his deifiers organized retribution against the employees and their employers.—
Jerel Ezell,
Mercury News,
6 May 2026
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The deification and worship of Japanese war criminals responsible for some of the Japanese Empire’s worst crimes in Korea and China has long been a source of rancor in the region.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolization. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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