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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Authorities were able to track exactly where Arredondo was after a stranger who lives in Mexico left a message about his whereabouts on a GoFundMe page the family had set up to honor Paolos after his death, per the outlets.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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The pop star was honored by Time on Thursday night in New York City alongside other breakout talents, including Jonathan Bailey, Lainey Wilson, Jack Quaid, Damson Idris, Monica Barbaro, Tramell Tillman and Teyana Taylor.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bichette, dropping his bat weeks after suffering a knee sprain, admiring his work, could’ve been the crowning image for a promising prospect turned franchise stalwart.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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But his grandson, Bonner, has driven Jesmore around the new HQ frequently to allow Jesmore to admire the work.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Pinjar thus starts out with Hamida’s disgust, puncturing notions of maternal affection revered in mainstream South Asian (and other) narratives.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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Country fans were perplexed as to why Johnson, revered for his commitment to traditional country, had gone mostly dark in the studio during that time.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 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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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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And respecting human dignity allows business and organizational leaders to do so in ways that, frankly, few competitors are pursuing.—
Jed Brewer,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
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Mike’s attention remains fixed on innovation that respects both safety and individuality.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Zhao praised Kore-eda’s films for their focus on mundane details – laundry, cooking, daily routines – that create a meditative rhythm before emotional tsunamis arrive.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
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The country singer had posted a photo on Instagram of the polarizing conservative activist with himself and wife Brittany, and praised Kirk in the caption.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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The Exorcism of God (2021) The Vatican treats him like a king, and the parishioners worship his presence, but Father Peter Williams (Will Beinbrink) has been hiding an unspeakable secret for 18 years.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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