as in honoring
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 lionizing
That brings us back to the folly of lionizing Kent as a conscientious objector to Trump and the president’s hawkish foreign policy as of late.
—
David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles educators were also directed to immediately shift from lionizing Chávez to honoring instead the farmworkers’ movement.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Gelles avoids lionizing Patagonia’s leader, describing Chouinard’s mercurial leadership style that often bewildered his staff at Patagonia.
—Maya Silver, Outside, 20 Oct. 2025
David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles educators were also directed to immediately shift from lionizing Chávez to honoring instead the farmworkers’ movement.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Gelles avoids lionizing Patagonia’s leader, describing Chouinard’s mercurial leadership style that often bewildered his staff at Patagonia.
—Maya Silver, Outside, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionizing
Verb
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Fabric from the Wright Brothers' flight honoring the state's connection to the birth of aviation.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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The foundation’s media awards, honoring cookbook authors, journalists and other media professionals, were presented Saturday, June 13.—
Brock Keeling,
Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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But maybe a little less self-admiring performative ecstasy from some of the rest?—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
11 June 2026
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Perhaps an attachment grows merely from admiring one player who is right here in KC, such as Lionel Messi of defending World Cup champion Argentina.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The plan was met with mixed reaction, with some praising Starmer for taking action and others questioning the effectiveness of a blanket ban.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
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White House communications director Steven Cheung dodged a question about Hokit’s comments at the fight, pivoting to praising the fighter.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Our history is complex but acknowledging its complexity shouldn't be considered inconsistent with loving our country and revering its founders.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
What these men accomplished is worth remembering and revering even as their number dwindles.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Jellicle Ball joins that lineage, inviting its audience to experience the joys of the Black and Latino ball scene while venerating its bittersweet roots.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
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Exquisite dribblers such as Olise need protecting and venerating.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To succeed, Democrats must now demonstrate that, despite the costs, America’s security at home depends on its influence abroad; shaping foreign policy around traditional values benefits Americans; and respecting alliances is a source of strength.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
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But respecting someone’s mother should be one of the most basic codes in life.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Mother African Union Church was founded decades before Juneteenth, born out of racist policies and structures that excluded people of African descent from worshipping freely.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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In the entry, a ditsy print (Schumacher’s Margie Floral in Porcelain) climbs up the walls and carries the blue-and-white combo upstairs, where the primary suite embraces those same sky-worshipping shades—a tip of the hat to the scenery outside.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
Verb
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The story goes that Balanchine was so struck by the multi-colored glow of the jewelry displays at the Van Cleef & Arpels New York showroom that this led him to create a dance exalting their beauty.—
Guillermo Perez,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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As Alvarado explores repeatedly, Valdez rejected that pathway, instead honing his indigenous roots, and dedicating his life to exalting those who, like him, exist in the in-between.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lionizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionizing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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