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
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
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
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
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
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
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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Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw told reporters after the game about the decision to honor Vesia.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
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Snow — who plays Nile's wife, Nina — tells PEOPLE that she was thrilled to work with actors of such caliber whom she's long admired.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Culturally, Shinto and Buddhist traditions emphasize respect for life and nature, which are deeply valued in Japan; in Nagano and Gifu prefectures, black bears are sometimes revered as mountain deities, researchers wrote in a paper this summer.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The archipelago is revered as one of the best places to spot Brazil’s wildlife, both above and below the surface of the water.—
Carla Vianna,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Yoji shared that venerated director Akira Kurosawa always said that the camera should never be on stage when shooting a kabuki performance, nor move around to get close to the actors.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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This is something new in the techno-sphere that for the longest time elevated and venerated the founder/CEO as superstar.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The less exalted won’t be so lucky.—
Lionel Laurent,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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In healthy relationships, privacy is respected.—
Dr. Cortney Warren,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
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The whole board respects the decision and the reasons for it.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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He is praised by some for policies that fueled rapid economic growth and relative political stability.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Moyes praised the reaction from supporters.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The film depicts her establishment of the utopian society while the Shakers worship with song and dance.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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That gap gives congregations wide latitude to hire and restore youth pastors, worship leaders and other associate ministers — including those with histories of misconduct.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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