as in heroes
a person who is the object of extreme or uncritical devotion
a movie star whose portrayal of a comic book superhero in a blockbuster series has made him the idol of millions
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Recent Examples of idols
Because the sort of celebrity documentary that Melania has been made in the image of aren’t made for general audiences — they’re made for fans who treat the experience of viewing them as another act of devotion to their idols.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
There's also a hunt for special idols across the country.
—Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
That season was the first time immunity idols were used in the game.
—Lisa Gutierrez
january 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
But by the second generation of idols in the late 2000s, there was an emerging sense of the seams between the two methods, even beyond language.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
On the four-minute track, Tyler talks about shopping for estates in the Hamptons, turning his idols into rivals, and trying to land a $100 million record contract.
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Back then, Hannelius probably could’ve tried to sign with Disney’s Hollywood Records like Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff and many more teen idols before her.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Ayala comes from the Portland Timbers and considers Mascherano one of his idols and mentors.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Thompson said passing another one of his idols would be a major accomplishment.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
There's also a hunt for special idols across the country.
—Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
That season was the first time immunity idols were used in the game.
—Lisa Gutierrez
january 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
But by the second generation of idols in the late 2000s, there was an emerging sense of the seams between the two methods, even beyond language.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
On the four-minute track, Tyler talks about shopping for estates in the Hamptons, turning his idols into rivals, and trying to land a $100 million record contract.
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Back then, Hannelius probably could’ve tried to sign with Disney’s Hollywood Records like Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff and many more teen idols before her.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Ayala comes from the Portland Timbers and considers Mascherano one of his idols and mentors.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Thompson said passing another one of his idols would be a major accomplishment.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idols
Noun
-
Next Thursday, Larry Merchant, my dear friend and one of my newspaper heroes, turns 95 years young.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
During their recent magical World Series run, the champion Dodgers had many heroes, but one constant.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Las Vegas is no longer the seat of the sportsbook gods.—
Dan Piepenbring,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Well, the football gods have a sense of humor.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idols. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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