LIONIZE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

lionize

verb

Definition of lionize

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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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 lionize Greenspan was the rare celebrity among central bankers, lionized for his economic stewardship in the 1990s. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 22 June 2026 Jay Cooke, who had once been lionized for his role in financing the Union victory, was attacked in the press and accused of cheating ordinary Americans out of their savings. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Popular culture really likes to lionize chosen families. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026 While other sporting events have similar impacts on one or a few countries, none sweep up dozens of nations — and perhaps entire continents — like the World Cup. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lionize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize

Verb

Situated on the plaza between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, the pop-up monument is a temporary tribute honoring the names of almost every person who has served in the military since the nation’s inception.

— Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
The girls have heard of Head In The Clouds and felt honored to be asked to participate, as artists like KATSEYE, XG, GDRAGON, 2NE1, Zedd, Joji, and more have headlined the festival.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of honor

Verb

The Athletic reported on Sunday that Unai Emery’s side had made an initial approach to sign the 22-year-old defender, having previously revealed that Ordonez was highly admired and had been tracked by Villa.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
She was also widely admired for her philanthropy including her Imagination Library program, which has gifted more than 300 million books to children across the world over 31 years.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of admire

Verb

His choice of Guthrie, one of the few remaining prominent officials in the DeSantis administration, illustrated Collins’ desire to be associated with his boss, who is revered by Florida’s Republican base.

— Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Still, the film gained a cult-like following, and its status was elevated through the years by a generation of filmmakers who revered it.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of revere

Verb

Other venerated South Side joints included Pepper’s Lounge, the Dew Drop Inn, and Theresa’s Lounge, the latter of which was tucked away in the basement of an apartment building.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Not asked enough by those who venerated Graham is why in death the patriot’s name must be associated with what’s so inimical to American prosperity and freedom.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of venerate

Verb

The women exalted in these spaces put their face on in the morning—as a woman from the 1950s might say.

— Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
This has been an awesome showcase of American community, with our own USMNT support and other countries’ diasporas springing up exalting watch parties all over the place.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of exalt

Verb

While many viewers praise the former child star as the beating heart of the series, her newfound success comes with heightened tabloid scrutiny, thecoverage wading into everything from her looks to her love life.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Mourinho stressed that actions speak louder than words, praising his squad's growing unity and dedication.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of praise

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lionizations

lionize

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“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lionize

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