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
Los Angeles educators were also directed to immediately shift from lionizing Chávez to honoring instead the farmworkers’ movement.
—
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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The annual award ceremony produced by ESPN, which honors the greatest achievements in sports, is set to air on July 15.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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The program will feature insightful discussions, networking opportunities and a dinner awards ceremony honoring visionary leaders.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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In terms of other possible options, Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Lens’ Pierre Sage are admired.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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The two rode electric bikes through the city, grabbed hamburgers, and made their way to Seventh Avenue and 46th Street to admire a digital billboard showing her latest American Eagle campaign.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Radio stars of the era were as revered as modern movie stars, so money-making opportunities were plenty.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
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The massive delta is revered not only for its capacious water supply and agricultural support, but also its famed Delta breeze that often brings relief from stretches of hot weather.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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And the qualities that once stigmatized the sport are now venerated by the White House.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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In a culture where age is venerated, the banyan is the oldest living thing most people will encounter here.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Jupiter — exalted in Cancer — brings expansion to themes of intuition, emotional intelligence, family bonds and home life.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Onstage, Michael is exalted, transfigured, fully alive, with neither fear nor shame.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both are signed through 2027 and are eager to grow together after respecting each other from afar.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
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Also, respect the co-parenting balance.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Anything Oprah repeatedly praises immediately piques my interest, but even more so when her favorites are podiatrist favorites.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
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In a post on X on May 29, Shriver marked what would have been Kennedy's 109th birthday by praising the court's ruling against efforts to rename the cultural institution.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Verb
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In more recent years, far-right conspiracy propagators have alleged that global political and business elites worship Moloch in secret and enact policies to appease the sadistic deity.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
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The idea of a protest buffer zone has been under consideration for months, raising questions about how government can balance free speech protections and the right to worship in legislation that could pass legal muster.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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