idolize

verb

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

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 noun
idolizer noun

Examples of idolize in a Sentence

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.
By then, as a kid growing up in Le Mans, Rupert had come to idolize Batum. Jason Quick, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025 Born in 1951 as the son of a Minnesota state senator, Dunlap grew up idolizing Chuck Berry, James Burton, Buddy Holly, Scotty Moore and Chet Atkins, by his own recollection. Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024 Others glorify and idolize Mangione for the attack. Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 Fleetwood Mac in Chicago (1969) Like the other British blues bands of the ’60s, Fleetwood Mac’s early lineup idolized American bluesmen, and jumped at the chance to record with them. Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for idolize 

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of idolize was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near idolize

Cite this Entry

“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idolize. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on idolize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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