as in to adore
to love or admire too much
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
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Recent Examples of idolize
While Willis, an Atlanta native who idolized Michael Vick growing up, attempts to downplay his mobility, the people around him, those who have coached him, view it as his superpower.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McGonigle grew up idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley, who is going into the club's Wall of Fame in August.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Bonzagni, who grew up a Rangers fan and idolized outfielders David Murphy, Craig Gentry and Josh Hamilton, didn’t make Carroll’s varsity team in any of his first three high school seasons.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
At Junya Watanabe, models walked with a sense of performance rarely seen today except in old videos of couture shows from the 1990s, wearing gowns assembled of athletic equipment and tacky leopard and faux fur fabrics of the kind idolized by Limited Too shoppers.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McGonigle grew up idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley, who is going into the club's Wall of Fame in August.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Bonzagni, who grew up a Rangers fan and idolized outfielders David Murphy, Craig Gentry and Josh Hamilton, didn’t make Carroll’s varsity team in any of his first three high school seasons.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
At Junya Watanabe, models walked with a sense of performance rarely seen today except in old videos of couture shows from the 1990s, wearing gowns assembled of athletic equipment and tacky leopard and faux fur fabrics of the kind idolized by Limited Too shoppers.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolize
Verb
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League handlers gave Heidenreich a chance to walk through the crowd and dap up the adoring fans.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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This affectionate boy adores people, thrives on human attention and will happily lean in for pets, snuggles or just to be close.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cage fans already knew the actor could play twisted roles well, but his demented performance as the Satan-worshipping killer still disturbed and delighted audiences.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
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There’s even a Sikh gurdwara on-site for the staff and anyone else who wants to visit or worship.—
David Williams,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adam Wharton, 22, is liked by people at United for his progressive passing and decisiveness on the ball.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Newsom likes to talk about us as the fourth-biggest economy in the world.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolize. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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