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
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
Maya Silver, Outside, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionizing
Verb
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The feud began in August as Democratic members of the state Assembly were planning resolutions honoring Hispanic heritage and Hispanic veterans in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month in September, according to the criminal complaint.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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In recent days, cities including San Antonio have canceled events honoring Chavez.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Relax with a cocktail and listen to live classical music while admiring the flowers.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
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Even Americans who have never watched a minute of C-SPAN, or get a little lost in the alphabet soup of other agencies, will probably never forget standing in Yosemite Valley and admiring a towering waterfall.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With more than 7,900 five-star ratings praising its high quality and elegant look, the quilt adds a nice decorative touch to rooms.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Mar. 2026
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Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden joined thousands in praising Jackson as an ambassador of hope, and a champion for the poor and the dispossessed.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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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And, online, there has been a never-ending stream of posts venerating Kirk as a martyr who died defending white Christian values.—
Ryan Broderick,
Rolling Stone,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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From doing research ahead of time to respecting the wildlife, Travel + Leisure chatted with national park representatives to get tips on how to make the most of a national park trip—and what rangers wish visitors did differently.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
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Beyond recipes, the cookbook shares her rules and beliefs about cooking and eating, like working with sharp knives and respecting the animals and plants that feed us, and knowing how to make a fire and understanding local ecosystems.—
Stella Fong,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a childhood spent worshipping the Ramones and the Replacements, Billie Joe Armstrong co-founded Green Day with bassist Mike Dirnt in 1987.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
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Freedom of religion Those who were worshipping at Cities Church when the service was disrupted also have a First Amendment right to practice their religion.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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The executive is looking to bring the Kate Somerville brand back to a strong position by leaning into its clinical roots and exalting its hero ExfoliKate line of cleansers and treatments, priced between $46 for a foaming wash and $85 for an exfoliating treatment.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionizing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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