lionize

verb

li·​on·​ize ˈlī-ə-ˌnīz 

lionized; lionizing

transitive verb

: to treat as an object of great interest or importance

lionization

ˌlī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

lionizer

ˈlī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Did you know?

Across time and across cultures—as evidenced from Chauvet-Pont d’Arc’s paintings to The Lion King—lions have captured people’s imaginations. Though the big cats themselves are fascinatingly complex, it’s perhaps no surprise that humans have long projected qualities of bravery and regality upon the proverbial “king of the beasts.” It is precisely those and similar admirable qualities that led, in the 18th century, to lion being used for a person who is similarly well-regarded, especially after a long and distinguished career in a particular field, as in “lion of the Senate,” or “literary lion.” This sense of lion imbues the verb lionize, which first appeared in English in the early 19th century to apply to acts of treating someone as, perhaps, deserving of roaring applause.

Examples of lionize in a Sentence

She was lionized everywhere after her novel won the Pulitzer Prize.

Recent Examples on the Web

The decision to remove Stephens came as more and more people found lionizing Confederate heroes to be in poor taste. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 16 May 2024

The alleged villains in the trial are former Autonomy CEO Mike Lynch, who once was lionized as shining example of British ingenuity, and Stephen Chamberlain, Autonomy’s former vice president of finance. —Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

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