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
Her idolization has made her Mexico’s unofficial national totem, perhaps second only to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
—Mathew Sandoval, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2023
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
Her idolization has made her Mexico’s unofficial national totem, perhaps second only to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
—Mathew Sandoval, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolization
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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But this crowd - predominantly middle-aged and male - had nothing but unmitigated adoration for Rush’s music and appreciation for the opportunity to experience it live again.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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Once Venus enters Leo, however, the cosmos turns up the charm in your relationship sector, bringing attention, passion and mutual adoration.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
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Hyper-racial idolatry may be too competitive a field on the internet to cut through.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 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 14 Jun. 2026.
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