idolization

noun

Definition of idolizationnext
as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person the mass idolization of the Renaissance artist continues to this day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 idolization The idolization of Steve Spurrier, dating a UF alum and understanding of Florida recruiting after a stint at FAU rang seemed to work in his favor. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025 But even more clear to me this go-around was that Bella's idolization of Edward comes from a horrifyingly insecure place. — USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 Her idolization has made her Mexico’s unofficial national totem, perhaps second only to the Virgin of Guadalupe. — Mathew Sandoval, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolization
  1. worship
  2. adoration
  3. idolatry
  4. worshipping
  5. adulation
  6. deification
Noun
  • Jayker Way, which winds through the subdivision and feeds into Chinden, frequently backs up, especially on Sundays, when thousands of congregants attend worship at the nearby Rockharbor megachurch.
    — Rose Evans August 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Regular religious worship, for instance, used to guarantee that the same group of people showed up in the same place every week, with no organizing required.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of worship
Noun
  • His death sparked an outpouring of adoration from his Sopranos’ castmates, among others.
    — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One, a delight for the kitchen — the pressure, the camaraderie, the artist's heart, the pirate's adoration of heat and knives — and, another, hard drugs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of adoration
Noun
  • The Assad regime cultivated idolatry and many had been happy to oblige it.
    — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Like McNutt, Dennis should soon join Ryan Clark on the growing list of former ESPN personalities who undermined the network with their racial idolatry.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of idolatry
Noun
  • With wide sidewalks and a friendly park sandwiched in the middle, this is the city’s best stroll for window shopping, people watching, and sun worshiping.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
  • By the nail holes above and beside the worshiping altar, the household hung garlands.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of worshipping
Noun
  • The adulation was directed at Harvey Levin, the co-creator and editor of the tabloid news organization.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
  • The people standing included A-list Hollywood stars and world leaders, all giving the Prince and Princess of Wales a very public show of respect and adulation.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of adulation
Noun
  • After employees railed against Kirk’s deification by the right, his deifiers organized retribution against the employees and their employers.
    — Jerel Ezell, Mercury News, 6 May 2026
  • The deification and worship of Japanese war criminals responsible for some of the Japanese Empire’s worst crimes in Korea and China has long been a source of rancor in the region.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of deification

Browse Nearby Words

idolatry
idolization
idolizations
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Cite this Entry

“Idolization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolization. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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