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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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
Guila Benchimol, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionizes
Verb
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Despite his success, Xander remains grounded — a quality that his mom admires.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Smart admires how welcoming Einbinder makes the set for day player actors or extras.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Swimming Hall of Fame next door, which honors the legends in the diving field, is staying put and will be getting a major makeover, too.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Organizers also say the tradition honors the legacy of Sandy Steers, a longtime supporter of the program who championed educational opportunities for local students.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Walsh venerates Jimmy Kimmel Live!—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Silyan is set in Kotevska’s native North Macedonia, a place that reveres white storks which return to the country each year to raise their young.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
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The Natural is, to the core, a movie that reveres the utter Americana of historical baseball, with its lo-fi Dust Bowl aesthetics that heavily reference Arthurian legend.—
K. Austin Collins,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Karl-Anthony Towns respects the Atlanta Hawks.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
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In a message to a Vatican academy for social science, Leo wrote that democracy remains healthy only when it is driven by morality and a vision of humanity that respects the dignity of everyone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Boyes, too, exalts the elephants like a man possessed.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though Campbell keeps a low profile and doesn't post publicly on social media, the pro golfer praises his longtime love on Instagram whenever given the opportunity.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner Allure praises this shampoo and conditioner set from Bumble and Bumble that promises to produce thickness.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Lionizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionizes. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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