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
Patriot reenactors insisted that their aim is not to lionize the Americans.
—
Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
The movie’s frank depiction of Mishima’s bisexual obsessions and radical political drive, not to mention the involvement of foreign filmmakers like Schrader, Coppola and Lucas, drew a boycott from Mishima’s widow and incensed the ultra-right-wing political groups that continued to lionize him.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Progressives should condemn these killers and do whatever is in their power to push back on the voices that lionize them, and the toxic social media algorithms that boost those voices.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
On Sunday, he was lionized as a Christian martyr and patriot committed to free expression and challenging liberal orthodoxy.
—Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
The movie’s frank depiction of Mishima’s bisexual obsessions and radical political drive, not to mention the involvement of foreign filmmakers like Schrader, Coppola and Lucas, drew a boycott from Mishima’s widow and incensed the ultra-right-wing political groups that continued to lionize him.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Progressives should condemn these killers and do whatever is in their power to push back on the voices that lionize them, and the toxic social media algorithms that boost those voices.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
On Sunday, he was lionized as a Christian martyr and patriot committed to free expression and challenging liberal orthodoxy.
—Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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Tickets for the original Orlando date will be honored for the new date.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Valentine's Day pagan connections Lupercalia was a debaucherous festival that celebrated the coming of spring that included animal sacrifices and drunken revelry to honor Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Danny Schmitt of Batavia admired the artist’s work on Saturday.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Jefferson is also a great place to go antiquing, check out quirky museums, admire beautiful historic homes, and relax with a drink at your hotel—just keep an eye out for ghosts on the stairwell.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Despite some high-profile falls into disgrace, India’s spiritual leaders are widely revered.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Turning to coaching, they were revered at the New York Skating Club at Madison Square Garden, where they were known for their strict emphasis on figures and classical skating—and Brunet became known for his habit of smoking cigarettes in succession while demonstrating maneuvers.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Seahorses are already venerated for having the unusual reproductive trait of the males being the ones that get pregnant.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
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Since becoming a global celebrity in the mid-’90s, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has become venerated for her restrained, aloof glamour.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Contrary to Mercury, the love planet exalts in this Water sign, making relationship dynamics smoother to navigate.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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As Alvarado explores repeatedly, Valdez rejected that pathway, instead honing his indigenous roots, and dedicating his life to exalting those who, like him, exist in the in-between.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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Public policy can respect personal choice while also reflecting sound health priorities — especially when taxpayer dollars are involved.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And in 2025, to celebrate the Air Max 95’s 30th anniversary, Nike went all-in with a true-to-OG Big Bubble redesign, which has been universally praised by industry insiders and consumers alike.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
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However, while users have praised the technology, Seedance has run into trouble.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At Karmel Mall’s prayer hall, where hundreds worshiped daily, congregations were less than half their usual size, Sabri said.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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You’re encouraged to admire them, to worship them.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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