IDOLIZATION Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

idolization

noun

Definition of idolization

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolization

Noun

In the north, worship centers on the goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Some walked hundreds of kilometers to establish places of worship far from the comforts of the world, spending years in prayer and contemplation before eventually being buried here.

— Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of worship

Noun

Clay/Ali remains one of the most indelible personalities of the 20th century, a man whose every public utterance and movement have become the subject of adoration and imitation.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
His face appearing on the big screen was naturally greeted by cheers of adoration from the stands and would normally have been a pure reason to smile.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of adoration

Noun

Though often misremembered as a boy’s adventure book, Gulliver’s Travels is both summation and rejoinder to the Enlightenment and how innumerable sins can result when the idolatry of reason leads to humans being treated as objects.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
The market for racial idolatry in sports media has collapsed.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of idolatry

Noun

They may have been kept open throughout the year for rituals commemorating important dates and festivals, as well as the worshipping of the dead.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
This, too, is a marvel of the modern Jewish state – the unusual multitasking of commuting and worshipping.

— Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of worshipping

Noun

So were the trademark online videos showing the candidate goofing around in a hoodie, name-dropping Dunkin and Market Basket, and basking in the adulation of sparse crowds.

— Jon Keller, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Just how much money, property, power or adulation makes for a satisfying life?

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of adulation

Noun

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
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

Definition of deification

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idolatry

idolization

idolizations

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“Idolization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolization. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of idolization

noun

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