as in to adore
to love or admire too much
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 idolize
At Junya Watanabe, models walked with a sense of performance rarely seen today except in old videos of couture shows from the 1990s, wearing gowns assembled of athletic equipment and tacky leopard and faux fur fabrics of the kind idolized by Limited Too shoppers.
—
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
That combination of down-home tradition and larger-than-life ambition makes Fuerza Regida the type of band young Mexican boys idolize.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
And typical of young Wild fans of the late 2000s, the 6-year old Brink idolized Marian Gaborik, scoring goals and winning games while wearing jersey number 10 in Minnesota.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
That combination of down-home tradition and larger-than-life ambition makes Fuerza Regida the type of band young Mexican boys idolize.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
And typical of young Wild fans of the late 2000s, the 6-year old Brink idolized Marian Gaborik, scoring goals and winning games while wearing jersey number 10 in Minnesota.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolize
Verb
-
The StyleCaster team aboslutely adores Quince’s wide array of offerings.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Or Father John Misty, who will headline there for adoring fans on Sunday evening.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
History meets future in new design First Baptist Dallas’ historic sanctuary served as a secondary, but beloved, worship space after its $130 million expansion was completed in 2013.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
And others simply see crypto as a way to build wealth and devote more time to worship.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolize. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
