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
Keïta is lionized in the photo world, and in the art world at large, and rightfully so.
—
Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
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
Today, though, Oppenheimer is lionized while Bush is little known outside a small circle of historians, computer scientists, and policy thinkers.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2024
By the late 18th century, he had been lionized as a national hero who established the first, lasting European contact with the continent.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
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
Today, though, Oppenheimer is lionized while Bush is little known outside a small circle of historians, computer scientists, and policy thinkers.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2024
By the late 18th century, he had been lionized as a national hero who established the first, lasting European contact with the continent.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionized
Verb
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Jeff’s passing was not only a gut punch to his family—his wife Eileen, daughter Mikaela, and son Taylor—and to an elite ski circuit that admired him.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Having admired Brobbey for some time, Sunderland duly made their move on the final day of the summer transfer window.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Michael Patrick King will be honored at next month’s Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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When a union and management develop a routine or custom, there are expectations that routine or custom will be honored going forward.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Despite some high-profile falls into disgrace, India’s spiritual leaders are widely revered.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Turning to coaching, they were revered at the New York Skating Club at Madison Square Garden, where they were known for their strict emphasis on figures and classical skating—and Brunet became known for his habit of smoking cigarettes in succession while demonstrating maneuvers.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, the priest has been praised by progressives for his academic achievements and his efforts to assist the poor.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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But fans have widely praised Parker's vision and adherence to the source material.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
States exercise authority to check federal power, and elections are largely respected.—
Ken Silverstein,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seahorses are already venerated for having the unusual reproductive trait of the males being the ones that get pregnant.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
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Since becoming a global celebrity in the mid-’90s, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has become venerated for her restrained, aloof glamour.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One moment they’re worshiped on social media; the next, they’re scorched.—
Kevin Sherrington
Feb. 4,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Frail elderly women, swathed in headscarves and saris, worshipped while sitting on puddled pavement near corroded metal changing lockers plastered with ads for Glow & Lovely skin cream.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lionized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionized. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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