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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Try driving eastward, on Palmetto Park Road or Glades or Camino Real, to get to City Hall, the downtown library, Mizner Park, places of worship in east Boca or to our beautiful beaches.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
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Investigators said the shooter or shooters fled from the house of worship, likely traveling north on Redwood Road.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In reality, Lawrence and Stone are longtime friends (and future collaborators) who haven't been shy about voicing their adoration for one another.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
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Jerry adoration of football is well documented, almost as much as his first true love — money.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the Turkish big man is also representative of a more meaningful trend, which was on display again this week, even before the Nuggets visited Houston — a recent proliferation of Jokic idolatry throughout the sport.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Nov. 2025
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In the Bible, Egypt occupies a central place, mentioned repeatedly as a land of refuge – notably for Joseph – but also as a nation of idolatry and as the cradle of slavery.—
Charles Vanthournout,
The Conversation,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some might be inclined to label Lee as an early cult leader, with her extreme views on sexuality, somatic-style worshipping rituals rooted in dance and song as well as her desire to build a self-sufficient, utopian community outside of mainstream society.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
25 Dec. 2025
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Destroy this death worshipping, terroristic cult.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Andrew has always wanted more adulation for his two daughters.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
30 Oct. 2025
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The announcement came after a day of adulation for the visiting American president from his hosts.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Thus, the project traces the societal implications of the deification of physical beauty, and how the international plastic surgery industry promotes these oppressive standards.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
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The mountain has been widely used by the Kim dynasty to showcase the family’s own lore and deification.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idolization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolization. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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