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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Sixty-five warming spaces — located at hospitals, houses of worship and schools — are active around town throughout the weekend, with warming buses also parked outside many of the hospitals and also transit hubs.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Moving the church into a dedicated worship space will free up the gym and allow local Assyrians to start turning the building into a community gathering place, said Ashur Shiba, a Morton Grove village trustee and executive director of the grassroots group Vote Assyrian.—
Marie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The retreat will include interactive talks, personal time for couples’ reflection and discussion, a continental breakfast and catered lunch, and adoration with a special blessing for the couples.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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My list is filled with personal adoration for each of these plants.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 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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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
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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
Noun
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Another, almost entirely fictive identity would afford him freedom and adulation.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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When he was finally called to the microphone, Rubio began what has become a familiar routine, offering Trump the kind of adulation that is ordinarily reserved for heroes.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Stalin saw the symphony as his deification.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Since August the regime had been encouraging young people to come to Beijing to be received by Mao—in a bid to stir up more frenzy for Mao’s deification.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolization. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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