deify

verb

de·​i·​fy ˈdē-ə-ˌfī  ˈdā- 

deified; deifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a god of

b

: to take as an object of worship

2

: to glorify as of supreme worth

Synonyms

• adore
• adulate
• canonize
• dote (on)
• hero-worship
• idolize
• worship

Examples of deify in a Sentence

The people deified the emperor.

materialistic people who deify money

Recent Examples on the Web

That should have been seemingly enough for Schmidt to be deified in Philadelphia. —John Perrotto, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

But in the interim, the rule of law is too important to be left to compromised OLC opinions deifying incumbent presidents. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024

In the history of Rome, only Julius, Augustus, and Claudius were deified upon their deaths; Vespasian wants the honor, and his son and heir, Titus, wants to give it to him. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024

Law goes balls out (literally) in crafting the narcissistic megalomaniac that is Ritter, a man who deifies Nietzsche. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French deifier, from Late Latin deificare, from Latin deus god + -ficare -fy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

deify

verb

de·​i·​fy ˈdē-ə-ˌfī 

deified; deifying

1

a

: to make a god of

Roman emperors were often deified

b

: to take as an object of worship

Druids deified oak trees

2

: to glorify as of supreme worth

deify money

deification

ˌdē-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun