LIONIZED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

lionized

verb

past tense of lionize

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lionized Fauci, 85, truly one of humanity’s great public health heroes, will be lionized in history long after mediocrities like Paul, Uthmeier and Scott have been relegated to footnotes. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 Greenspan was the rare celebrity among central bankers, lionized for his economic stewardship in the 1990s — and a reputation tarnished by the global financial crisis of 2008. — June 22, NPR, 22 June 2026 Jay Cooke, who had once been lionized for his role in financing the Union victory, was attacked in the press and accused of cheating ordinary Americans out of their savings. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Nursing has long been lionized as one of the most stable and safe professions for young graduates to pursue. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 His work here should be respected, not lionized. — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026 Some people have lionized Mangione as a sort of vigilante hero. — CBS News, 21 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionized

Verb

Rukeyser admired Woolf and mentored young Black writers, including Alice Walker, so the connections between Rukeyser, Woolf, and Solomon are rich.

— Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
The result is a category where scientific performance and consumer experience have evolved in tandem, making Korean sunscreens among the most admired in the world.

— Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of admired

Verb

The Thorns honored former player Tobin Heath prior to the match at Portland's Providence Park.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Special honors went to Breaking Bad, Pluribus and Better Call Saul kingpin Vince Gilligan, who received the Eva Monley Award, and veteran location manager and production supervisor Mike Fantasia, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of honored

Verb

Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his career in Oklahoma City, where he is still wildly cheered and revered as the godfather of Thunder basketball.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Ballet core may be a recent trend in name, but little girls, including me, have always revered a ballerina.

— Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of revered

Verb

Despite neither having professional boxing records, their bout, fought with headgear, was praised for its intensity and athleticism, particularly from Lex, whose jab, length, and coordination proved decisive.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Brian Schnell with the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department praised the tools used to track down the suspects.

— Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of praised

Verb

Being a trans woman is something that is a right and should be respected.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
These developments coincided with his growing voice in the locker room, where he was respected enough to yell, beat his chest and smack his helmet without repercussions.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of respected

Verb

Other venerated South Side joints included Pepper’s Lounge, the Dew Drop Inn, and Theresa’s Lounge, the latter of which was tucked away in the basement of an apartment building.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Not asked enough by those who venerated Graham is why in death the patriot’s name must be associated with what’s so inimical to American prosperity and freedom.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of venerated

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lionize

lionized

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“Lionized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionized. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lionized

verb

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