as in adored
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 idolized
The first name that caught his eye was Nicklas Lidstrom, the great Detroit Red Wing, whom Werenski idolized as a boy growing up in Michigan.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 2 June 2026
As a child Modrić idolized the Yugoslav (later Croatian) footballer Zvonimir Boban.
—Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
Caudhy Salomon, a 15-year-old attending Miami Beach Senior High, has long idolized and looked up to the Haitian football team, driving his love for the sport and his decision to play for Little Haiti FC, a championship-winning team in youth football.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
And yes, the song was a colorful confection packaged into easily digestible pop for children who idolized Siwa from her Dance Moms days.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
While Rollins wasn’t a fan of the Stones’ music, the band’s drummer Charlie Watts, who had a jazz background, idolized the sax player.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 25 May 2026
The Times also identified social media accounts believed to be used by one of the shooters who idolized school shootings, the white nationalism movement and neo-Nazi terrorism, and were flush with memes from the online far-right extremist community.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Merchant had long idolized Patti Smith.
—Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Those traits historically idolized as feminine frailties (or diagnosed as feminine neuroses) are here reenvisioned as sources of extraordinary talent.
—Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 2 June 2026
As a child Modrić idolized the Yugoslav (later Croatian) footballer Zvonimir Boban.
—Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
Caudhy Salomon, a 15-year-old attending Miami Beach Senior High, has long idolized and looked up to the Haitian football team, driving his love for the sport and his decision to play for Little Haiti FC, a championship-winning team in youth football.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
And yes, the song was a colorful confection packaged into easily digestible pop for children who idolized Siwa from her Dance Moms days.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
While Rollins wasn’t a fan of the Stones’ music, the band’s drummer Charlie Watts, who had a jazz background, idolized the sax player.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 25 May 2026
The Times also identified social media accounts believed to be used by one of the shooters who idolized school shootings, the white nationalism movement and neo-Nazi terrorism, and were flush with memes from the online far-right extremist community.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Merchant had long idolized Patti Smith.
—Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Those traits historically idolized as feminine frailties (or diagnosed as feminine neuroses) are here reenvisioned as sources of extraordinary talent.
—Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolized
Verb
-
And everyone adored the lead actor, Bill Paxton, who liked to toss a football with Wakita kids between shoots.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
There are few sights as unanimously adored as a sunset.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
For decades your homepage was the front door, and brands worshipped Google to be found.—
Lutz Finger,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Those critics referenced the golden calf idol worshipped by the Israelites before Moses returned from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolized. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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