idolize

1 of 2

verb

idol·​ize ˈī-də-ˌlīz How to pronounce idolize (audio)
idolized; idolizing
Synonyms of idolizenext

transitive verb

: to worship as a god
broadly : to love or admire to excess
… the common people whom he so idolized. —The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

: to practice idolatry
idolization
ˌī-də-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce idolize (audio)
noun
idolizer
ˈī-də-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce idolize (audio)
noun

idolization

2 of 2

noun

idol·​i·​za·​tion
variants also British idolisation
ˌīdᵊlə̇ˈzāshən, 
-ᵊlīˈz-
plural -s
: the act of idolizing or state of being idolized
the idolization to which they were subjected

Synonyms of idolize

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Verb

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Examples of idolize in a Sentence

Verb an actor who is idolized by millions she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Driving the success is a Lebanese duo with a great backstory (one player used to idolize the other) - which William Mullaly details in this great piece for The National. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 Fedorov, just 35 years old, has spent his career idolizing the startup, entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley, and sought to recreate it in Ukraine. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026 The legend of Caitlin Clark was blossoming, with millions of average Americans idolizing her family-first background and humble Midwestern roots. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026 Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town). — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for idolize

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of idolize was in 1605

Rhymes for idolize

See All Rhymes for idolize

Browse Nearby Words

idolization
idolize
idolo-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idolize. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

idolize

verb
idol·​ize ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce idolize (audio)
idolized; idolizing
: to worship as an idol : love or admire too much
idolization
ˌīd-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən
noun
idolizer
ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌī-zər How to pronounce idolize (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on idolize

Nglish: Translation of idolize for Spanish Speakers

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