LIONIZES Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

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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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

Verb

Anna, the film suggests, admires her husband warts and all, perhaps because there’s an enticing authenticity in all his inadequacies and brutish ways.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Bucci admires the modern show’s scale, organization and ambition, describing it as a festival of show jumping, with world-class facilities, footing, hospitality and stabling.

— Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of admires

Verb

Her new surname reportedly honors her mother, Katie Holmes, whose full name is Kate Noelle Holmes.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 17 Sep. 2026
The foundation also hosts the annual Phoenix Awards, a dinner held during CBC Week that honors those viewed as stakeholders by the foundation.

— Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Sep. 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

This small, invigorating venue down the street from the Thimble Islands respects the original but makes some interesting choices that allow for fresh perspectives on this classic work of dysfunctional roommates.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Quarterback Justin Herbert said everyone on the team respects Harbaugh, a former NFL QB whose teammates praised his toughness.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 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

While Tarlov was grateful for his advice, her book praises current Fox News Chief Executive Suzanne Scott for creating a workplace culture that is much more hospitable to women.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
For all his obvious qualities in attack, Ruiz also praises Kvaratskhelia’s defensive work.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of praises

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“Lionizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionizes. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lionizes

verb

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