LIONIZATION Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

lionization

noun

Definition of lionization

as in praise

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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 lionization If the diary entries are any indication, Fauci, in the midst of the pandemic, also savored his own press coverage and lionization. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 But the tonal change from braggadocio to lionization is notable, Reisman slipping at times into the giddiness of a die-hard fan meeting their idols. — Julien Levy, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionization

Noun

With four major films in release, critical praise for all of them and Batman Part II on the way, Robert Pattinson is having a good year.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
Her tenure at the Justice Department won praise from the White House on Thursday.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

Clay/Ali remains one of the most indelible personalities of the 20th century, a man whose every public utterance and movement have become the subject of adoration and imitation.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
His face appearing on the big screen was naturally greeted by cheers of adoration from the stands and would normally have been a pure reason to smile.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of adoration

Noun

Legislative deference to the executive in times of war is not unique to Trump’s second term, but Congress should close loopholes that allow presidents to expand their power unchecked.

— Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
Across more than a dozen votes forced by Democrats to rein in the president's war powers, the vast majority of the GOP conference has remained united in opposition, granting the president wide deference in steering the conflict.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of deference

Noun

For Tokyoites, meanwhile—especially those of an Anglophile persuasion, given Japan’s long-standing reverence for British tailoring, subcultures, and craft—the appeal lay in the opposite direction.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
Twisted Teens’ most compelling quality might be the fact that their obvious reverence for rock’n’roll history still leaves plenty of room for mystery, and the intrigue deepens on The Holy Cross Tigers, the group’s third full-length of 2026.

— Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of reverence

Noun

The team was slated for elimination under funding cuts for the upcoming fiscal year, following the approbation of a $9 billion budget, outlining $57 million in cuts to general fund departments, through a 4-1 vote on June 10.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
This too is greeted with collective approbation; everyone recognizes that this is the right thing to do.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Definition of approbation

Noun

Though often misremembered as a boy’s adventure book, Gulliver’s Travels is both summation and rejoinder to the Enlightenment and how innumerable sins can result when the idolatry of reason leads to humans being treated as objects.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
The market for racial idolatry in sports media has collapsed.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of idolatry

Noun

In the north, worship centers on the goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Some walked hundreds of kilometers to establish places of worship far from the comforts of the world, spending years in prayer and contemplation before eventually being buried here.

— Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of worship

Noun

The actress, who had flown 15 hours from attending the repeat Chanel cruise show in Australia for the occasion, spoke of her admiration for the Canadian filmmaker.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2026
But this daffy mix of buddy comedy and conspiracy thriller benefits from his facility with dialogue that’s just south of screwball, as well as the mutual admiration society between McDonagh and actors.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of admiration

Browse Nearby Words

lionhearted

lionization

lionizations

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Style

“Lionization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionization. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of lionization

noun

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