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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Brady, 48, also marked Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10, by sharing a series of photos honoring the women in his life — including exes Bündchen and Bridget Moynahan.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Navigating the complexities of building around Dončić while still honoring what worked over the past season won’t be easy.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The man behind the Cat in the Hat is admiring of the woman behind Gertrude McFuzz.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The costume designer and actress agreed to his proposal, and the ring went on to have a special moment in the film with Grace admiring the jewelry while a costar jokes about its size.—
Alyssa Modos,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, issued a video message Monday praising passengers and crew for their perseverance and calling for respect for their privacy.—
Mike Corder,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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Those kind of plays have the Wild coaches praising Hartman for his maturity, in not taking the bait and retaliating with an act that might mean another lengthy suspension.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Verb
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His whole combo — coddling yet revering — makes clear how this hopeless estate chugged along for so long.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Chu sits at the center of Hollywood, and grew up in Silicon Valley revering engineers.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
14 Nov. 2025
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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Developers must also be held to a higher standard in their production of housing, specifically prioritizing thoughtful design that increases the number of units while still respecting community character.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Read Full Review Entrepreneur Everything here is about respecting history and infusing it with modern touches, from preserving the architecture to the green velvet seats.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Dungo’s graphic novel blends this youthful love story with the history of surfing, something Kristen deeply respects, worshipping at the altar of history’s famous surfers in an almost existential fashion.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Bowing down and worshiping an idol is sinful.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
12 May 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 16 May. 2026.
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