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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But in March of 2025, Adelman attended a Blazers game that featured a halftime reunion honoring the 1990 and 1992 teams.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Queen Letizia of Spain and Princess Charlene of Monaco opted for designer summer style in pieces by Oscar de la Renta and Mantù during a visit to two exhibits honoring Spain and Monaco on Monday in Madrid.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Verb
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While the Eiffel Tower is a must-see, experts suggest admiring it from afar for better views.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
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Even Americans who pay little attention to politics will probably never forget standing in Yosemite Valley and admiring a towering waterfall.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Facebook ads vilifying or praising various measures.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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In a post on X on May 29, Shriver marked what would have been Kennedy's 109th birthday by praising the court's ruling against efforts to rename the cultural institution.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Verb
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What these men accomplished is worth remembering and revering even as their number dwindles.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
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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
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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Making jewelry out of vintage memorabilia is even more challenging, as Villa is adamant about respecting the integrity of the original pieces.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
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The other members struggle with their desire to keep their children safe through herd immunity while respecting the rights of the individual parents.—
Mary Damiano,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Community advocates said tragic events like what happened in California should not stop the community from worshipping freely.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
25 May 2026
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Despite all the violent bureaucracy devoted to worshipping the god Om, only one simple monk, Brutha, actually believes in him.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
24 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 6 Jun. 2026.
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