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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idols
Rizo, on the other hand, talks a huge game, wants to make big moves, and pulls stunts with fake immunity idols at Tribal.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
As was the case in Madrid, where he was nicknamed ‘Bobby’, after mentioning Manchester United and England great and 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton when talking about his idols in an interview, Endrick has settled perfectly into the Lyon dressing room.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
South Korea’s survival shows have been producing pop idols for decades, and several major groups — including TWICE, ZEROBASEONE, and Stray Kids — started on music reality series.
—Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Many former Survivor players have been at the location of the idols in their hometown states to greet fans.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Our idols were allowed to either be good girls—militantly wholesome and seemingly virginal—or train wrecks, unmoored and wild, and thus subjected to a litany of bullying and ridicule for their actions.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
My favorite K-pop idols were at SM as well.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Chuck Berry was writing his songs but a lot of the other teenage idols weren’t writing their music.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
But there is a theatrical beauty to Curwen’s work that remains appealing despite his protestations, drawing parallels with his idols Lee Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
As was the case in Madrid, where he was nicknamed ‘Bobby’, after mentioning Manchester United and England great and 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton when talking about his idols in an interview, Endrick has settled perfectly into the Lyon dressing room.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
South Korea’s survival shows have been producing pop idols for decades, and several major groups — including TWICE, ZEROBASEONE, and Stray Kids — started on music reality series.
—Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Many former Survivor players have been at the location of the idols in their hometown states to greet fans.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Our idols were allowed to either be good girls—militantly wholesome and seemingly virginal—or train wrecks, unmoored and wild, and thus subjected to a litany of bullying and ridicule for their actions.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
My favorite K-pop idols were at SM as well.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Chuck Berry was writing his songs but a lot of the other teenage idols weren’t writing their music.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
But there is a theatrical beauty to Curwen’s work that remains appealing despite his protestations, drawing parallels with his idols Lee Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idols
Noun
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Here is the defender in action, protecting humanity against harm, while reminding us of Marvel’s own genesis in the bold stories of its Nazi-busting heroes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
All Dickens heroes are complete nonentities who know 217 wacky people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the poem Klecko weaves together boxer Frazier’s left hook, butterflies and gods.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
-
There was a short period, near the end of a messy, deeply ambiguous night of football at the Parc des Princes, that could have come directly from May 2025, plucked from the timeline and placed here, a little winter gift from the sporting gods.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idols. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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