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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Highpoints, such as when Big Ant quietly admires the craftsmanship of his son’s Pegasus wings before rejecting them for confused reasons, unproductively blend together with facile ones, like a signposted scene of physical abuse.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kings coach Doug Christie admires and appreciates DeRozan’s professionalism.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Unveiled in 2024 as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection, the statue honors Graham’s life and gospel ministry.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Dragons lead the race for the University Interscholastic League’s Lone Star Cup, which honors Texas’ best athletic and academic programs in every classification.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Walsh venerates Jimmy Kimmel Live!—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
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The Democrat who venerates more government but sidesteps California’s failing public schools and crushing cost of living.—
John H Bolthouse,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
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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Medvedev dismissed speculation that Trump is secretly aligned with Moscow, telling the outlet that Americans elected him and Russia respects that choice.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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Any workable immigration system will include enforcement but enforcement that accords with the rule of law and respects human rights.—
Binaifer Nowrojee,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Contrary to Mercury, the love planet exalts in this Water sign, making relationship dynamics smoother to navigate.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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The Anti-Defamation League said Blood Tribe practices Esoteric Hitlerism, a belief system that exalts Adolf Hitler as a deity, as well as Wotanism, a white supremacist variant of Norse Paganism.—
Brett Barrouquerre,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2023
Verb
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In another, the president praises the mother of his son Barron as one of the best moms he’s ever seen.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Banuelos praises his girlfriend/mentee's competition skills in an Instagram Reel.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 2026.
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