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.
The first step for organizations is thus making employees aware of the risk of sleep deprivation instead of idolizing those who get by with little sleep. Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 But to me, this trend seems to go beyond idolizing celebrity style. Sam Reed, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024 Many of the players who have idolized her for years must now step up. Emily Olsen, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 Owing to her father’s belief that women’s menstruation breaks the all-important power of ancestors, Yuet has never felt truly and unconditionally loved by Man, despite idolizing him and studying his ritual performances. Richard Kuipers, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024 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 4 Dec. 2024.

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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