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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Real security starts with honoring what is worth your time.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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The Braves honored the lives and legacies of former owner Ted Turner and former manager Bobby Cox before Tuesday’s 5-2 victory over the Cubs.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Many of us have known Lorenzo for years and admired his work.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
11 May 2026
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Yet several additional states, from Pennsylvania to Arizona, have their own sparkly populations, with all sorts of safe events to admire them.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Verb
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He was also revered as a civil rights activist pushing for quality healthcare, women’s rights, living wages, racial and immigrant justice, and gender and LGBTQ equality.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
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She was also revered for her charity work, most notably for those living with HIV and AIDS, receiving the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Bill Clinton in 2001.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
8 May 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
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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
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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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Our families deserve to worship safely.—
Adam Duxter,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Each statue the perfect epitome of silent, mothering, virginal womanhood that Ireland had come to worship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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