as in to honor
to treat (someone) as a very important and famous person
She was lionized everywhere after her novel won the Pulitzer Prize.
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Recent Examples of lionize
Some people have lionized Mangione as a sort of vigilante hero.
—
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Some people have lionized Mangione as a sort of vigilante hero.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
To see that kind of big-budget artistry properly lionized, given some of the duds the Academy has recognized in recent years—I’m looking at you, Green Book—felt like a true triumph.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
In some cases, books that failed to lionize fallen Irish heroes were put on the chopping block.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lionize
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Some people have lionized Mangione as a sort of vigilante hero.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
To see that kind of big-budget artistry properly lionized, given some of the duds the Academy has recognized in recent years—I’m looking at you, Green Book—felt like a true triumph.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
In some cases, books that failed to lionize fallen Irish heroes were put on the chopping block.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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The dinner was held under Queen Rania’s patronage, and the event honored the achievements of the nonprofit’s beneficiaries, expressed appreciation for its donors for their ongoing support, and aimed to secure funding for a new cohort of Jordanian youth to complete their higher education.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
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Nearly 25 years after the attacks, the royal couple laid a bouquet of white flowers at the edge of the south reflecting pool, honoring the lives lost — including 67 British victims — during a brief ceremony on a chilly but sunny afternoon in lower Manhattan.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Haitian fans have long admired the Brazilian team and fashion their play after the Brazilian fancy-passing style.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
-
The moment was especially impactful given that Delany had spent most of her childhood admiring the Oscar-winning actor.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Though Washington is revered today, his position was extremely fragile at the time, Kesten said, gesturing at an image of a painting of von Steuben and Washington.—
Amanda Rosa
Updated April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Last month, the 55-year-old DeCosta became known to legions of fans — especially those who revere the Raiders — for something far less flattering.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Our Lady of Guadalupe is represented pregnant and venerated by devotees seeking protection and peace.—
Marie-Claire Beaulieu,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
-
People were so eager to venerate his remains that skulls of his magically multiplied.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Onstage, Michael is exalted, transfigured, fully alive, with neither fear nor shame.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Production is either exalted or explained away.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He’s been beloved by fans, respected by his peers and consistently close enough on the biggest stages to make the major-less résumé feel more surprising than disappointing.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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Instead of punishing students who don’t respect the right to express diverse viewpoints, Bayrex Martí, a UCLA dean, warned the Federalist Society not to identify the disruptive students.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Getz’s peers have taken notice and have called to praise him for signing Murakami.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Those kind of plays have the Wild coaches praising Hartman for his maturity, in not taking the bait and retaliating with an act that might mean another lengthy suspension.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Verb
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But although resistance is similarly futile, their goals are less about assimilation than worshipping the obsessive Grant's wife, Starla (Elizabeth Banks).—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
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The task force — which included numerous Cabinet secretaries — didn't accuse the Biden administration of any large pattern of suppressing churches themselves or the right to worship.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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