lionizes

verb

present tense third-person singular of lionize
as in admires
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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Example Sentences

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 lionizes Weberman’s early release would place him back into a community that not only protects, but lionizes him. — Guila Benchimol, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionizes
  1. admires
  2. honors
  3. venerates
  4. reveres
  5. respects
  6. exalts
  7. praises
  8. dignifies
Verb
  • Benady is thriving in the creative atmosphere of the house, and admires Jacquemus’ blend of humility, authenticity and ambition.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The artist’s studio will be recreated inside the center’s gallery, sharing company with works by artists Duval-Carrié admires as well as examples of his own art.
    — Elisa Turner, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of admires
Verb
  • The GreenerGov Awards honors various state agencies for their efforts to reduce their environmental impact.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Launched in 2006, the California Hall of Fame honors people whose achievements have made an impact on the state, country and world.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of honors
Verb
  • Kin Coedel collaborated with Meti and Hijra women in Nepal in the creation of Between Reverence and Refusal, giving them recognition and exposing the paradox of a culture that venerates femininity in myth but doesn’t acknowledge those who embody it in everyday life.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 1 June 2026
  • Redemptive suffering Shared sorrow is a key part of Iran’s Twelver Shiite identity, which venerates the Prophet Muhammad’s family through daughter Fatima and cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
    — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of venerates
Verb
  • Among other things, Hinduism reveres femininity through the worship of powerful goddesses, including Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom; Kali, the goddess who destroys evil and ego; and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • While Western climbers regard Everest as a peak to be conquered, Tenzing reveres it as a sacred mother goddess.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reveres
Verb
  • Model improves testing boundaries Beyond exploit development, OpenAI has focused on ensuring GPT-6 Cyber respects the limits of authorized security assessments.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Still, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid respects Glenn’s defensive scheme and personnel.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of respects
Verb
  • At a time when our right to protest is under siege, this sci-fi yarn exalts the way an individual’s conviction can plant seeds of change, leading to a stronger sense of community.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Boyes, too, exalts the elephants like a man possessed.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of exalts
Verb
  • Shopping editor Audrey Lee, who tested an earlier iteration of the Evolution, praises its high level of comfort and cooling abilities.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Executive chef Marie Douroux at Virgin Hotels New Orleans praises these wood-growing fungi for their beauty as well as their flavor.
    — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of praises
Verb
  • The recognizing states will have to step up, too, by making their security guarantees concrete and by helping shape a Palestinian state that does not threaten its neighbors and dignifies its people by providing functioning institutions and proper services.
    — SHIRA EFRON, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of dignifies

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Cite this Entry

“Lionizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionizes. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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