lionizing

verb

present participle of lionize
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lionizing In the early days of the war, Union troops from Boston had borrowed the familiar melody of a religious camp meeting song and added new lyrics lionizing John Brown, the leader of the 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionizing
  1. honoring
  2. admiring
  3. praising
  4. revering
  5. venerating
  6. respecting
  7. worshipping
  8. exalting
Verb
  • This powerful performance, honoring Ozzy Osbourne, was recorded at the David Z Foundation's annual JAMM Night fundraiser earlier this year.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Now, for the first time in its nearly 75-year history, the Hall of Fame will feature a dedicated experience honoring an active NBA player.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of honoring
Verb
  • Take your time admiring the pristine yachts on the glistening blue water before directing your attention to the posh promenades of Calle Ribera and Muelle Ribera.
    — Jennifer Fernández Solano, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Devin Williams’ changeup was also mentioned by four players, and another four singled out Aroldis Chapman — three wanting his fastball and another specifically admiring his ability to maintain that fastball into his late 30s.
    — Chad Jennings, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of admiring
Verb
  • And maybe praising the Lord, which also happened at the K Wednesday night.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • Reviews were solid, with critics praising the plot twists and action sequences.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of praising
Verb
  • 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
Definition of revering
Verb
  • 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
  • Exquisite dribblers such as Olise need protecting and venerating.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of venerating
Verb
  • Good media outreach starts with respecting the reporter’s time and understanding what matters to their audience.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • None of those guys could ever be accused of advocating for liberal democracy or respecting the dignity of others.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Definition of respecting
Verb
  • Visitors from the four corners of the soccer-worshipping earth descended upon our huge and beautifully chaotic country and a whole bunch of them seemed to fall in love with the place and its people.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
  • Inside, inscriptions bearing Paser's name depict him worshipping various deities inside shrines, as well as seated with his wife before an offering table.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2026
Definition of worshipping
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of exalting

Browse Nearby Words

lionizes
lionizing
lions
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Cite this Entry

“Lionizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionizing. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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