as in adored
to love or admire too much
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 idolized
The whole world loved him, idolized him.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Once, Maye idolized Cam Newton.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
Her polished fashion sense, marked by sophisticated, minimalist pieces and a neutral color palette, has been idolized even decades after her death.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
Kiffin idolized Spurrier growing up.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
But in tech, where founders are idolized yet structurally undercapitalized as individuals, the idea is both obvious and overdue.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Ed idolized Augusta and was disturbed that Henry, who often criticized and argued against her strict teachings, had much less admiration for her.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
The Founding Fathers idolized Cincinnatus, who was appointed dictator to save the Roman Republic, then peacefully returned to his fields.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Fein had long idolized the legendary producer and creator of the Wall of Sound.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Aug. 2025
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Once, Maye idolized Cam Newton.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
Her polished fashion sense, marked by sophisticated, minimalist pieces and a neutral color palette, has been idolized even decades after her death.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
Kiffin idolized Spurrier growing up.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
But in tech, where founders are idolized yet structurally undercapitalized as individuals, the idea is both obvious and overdue.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Ed idolized Augusta and was disturbed that Henry, who often criticized and argued against her strict teachings, had much less admiration for her.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
The Founding Fathers idolized Cincinnatus, who was appointed dictator to save the Roman Republic, then peacefully returned to his fields.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Fein had long idolized the legendary producer and creator of the Wall of Sound.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolized
Verb
-
The family was left shattered when Charles, who was adored by many, died of a heart attack in 1988.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
My heart is broken for her family, her loved ones, and everyone who adored her, both here in Canada and around the world.—
Emily St. Martin,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The flames then moved toward the sanctuary, where congregants worshipped.—
Jason Carroll,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Irish, Italian, German, and Polish communities each worshipped—in Latin—at their own churches, often within blocks of one another.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolized. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
