as in admired
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 lionized
That was under a government led by the founders of the state, and much lionized by liberal Zionists.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 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
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionized
Verb
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Venus Williams has long been admired for her grace, athleticism, and quiet confidence both on and off the tennis court.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
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Even the house’s actual residents were the right types—one was a post-punk musician Trier admired.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honored bands like Outkast, the White Stripes, and Soundgarden.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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Tracey McLeod honored me with an opportunity to partner with her on aggressively growing the Branded Division business, with a focus on the Reebok brand and the license, Weebok by Reebok.—
Jennie Bell,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hong Kong — A Chinese coffee chain has apologized and changed its name after state media roasted it for misusing a word revered by the nation’s communist government.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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Among those who revered him and were swayed by his counsel in various instances was Manny Machado.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This novel was nominated for the Booker prize in 2021 and was praised for being genre-bending.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Chu praised Kerstein, likening the art of editing each musical number to a different puzzle.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For families seeking long-term, generational partnerships, this kind of longevity translates into reassurance that their values and goals will be respected, not just today, but thirty years from now.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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That would be two concussions, potentially, in less than two weeks for someone who has become very important to and respected by the Leafs.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
2 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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In the Isan region of Thailand, an ancestral spirit named Ba Yan has been worshiped by villagers for generations.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Sanskrit speakers worshipped Dyaus Pitr, or Sky Father.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionized. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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