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
On Sunday, he was lionized as a Christian martyr and patriot committed to free expression and challenging liberal orthodoxy.
—
Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Conservatives memorialize Kirk as 'martyr' and 'warrior' Kirk was lionized by several speakers as a modern-day martyr, many using the word in the context of his Christian faith.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
That doesn't excuse lionizing a complex person and ignoring whatever controversies might have surrounded them.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Barry Goldwater thundered against centralized power, Ronald Reagan lionized hands-off government and liberty, and even Richard Nixon respected certain limits.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Conservatives memorialize Kirk as 'martyr' and 'warrior' Kirk was lionized by several speakers as a modern-day martyr, many using the word in the context of his Christian faith.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
That doesn't excuse lionizing a complex person and ignoring whatever controversies might have surrounded them.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Barry Goldwater thundered against centralized power, Ronald Reagan lionized hands-off government and liberty, and even Richard Nixon respected certain limits.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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Veteran journalist Deborah Norville — who retired from Inside Edition in May after serving as the anchor of the news magazine for 30 years — will also be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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The terms of Mike Hill’s contract will be honored, including a financial payout of his $420,000 base salary through June 30, 2030.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Visit after dark to admire the city lights reflecting off the waves and pick up something unique, like a one-of-a-kind hat or jewelry made with sea glass.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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For too long, cultural currency has been admired but not measured.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mothers are both revered and sort of ignored in society.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
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His small discography is revered among fans, critics and fellow musicians.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Democrat who venerates more government but sidesteps California’s failing public schools and crushing cost of living.—
John H Bolthouse,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
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For all their differences in background, temperament, and approaches to art, Matisse and Picasso both venerated Cézanne, Delacroix, Manet, and van Gogh.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Weeping delights in the exalted, the sublime, the magnificent — a symphony, a vista, megafauna, even a brilliant dissertation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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In developing proprietary colors and in-house embroideries, the late founder set a template that Shukla is exalting.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moderated by Billboard‘s Jessica Roiz, the conversation focused on respecting the culture, roots and pioneers that have fueled this genre in Africa, and how Afrobeats has influenced their latest projects, including Goyo’s debut album Pantera.—
Griselda Flores,
Billboard,
21 Oct. 2025
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Halley is viewed as having more academic disposition and is more enmeshed with operations and technology and is respected for his industry smarts.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Awards pundits predict that both White and Strong will be Oscar contenders for their performances, which have been praised by critics on the film festival circuit.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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Speaking to Variety at the Academy Museum Gala over the weekend, the actor praised his experience shooting the new episodes.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sanskrit speakers worshipped Dyaus Pitr, or Sky Father.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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Farmers exercised a right, a rare sight However, this display, engineered by farmers, suggests a departure from the control elite priests had over the right to worship and build centers for astronomical observation and ritual.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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