as in to honor
to treat (someone) as a very important and famous person
She was lionized everywhere after her novel won the Pulitzer Prize.
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Recent Examples of lionize
During the era of hip-hop and Hollywood’s new black intellectual properties (Eddie Murphy, Prince, Spike Lee, et al.), Wilson was lionized as American theater’s foremost black playwright.
—
Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024
Rather than simplistically lionizing the frikis, the directors honor their plight by portraying them as an example of how the human spirit perseveres even when nearly crushed.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
Many shared their frustration with UnitedHealthcare's practices, and Thompson's death was met with cheers or indifference by some who lionized the gunman as a folk hero.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Kavanaugh denied the allegations and, thanks to Trump and the Senate’s Republican majority, he was lionized on the right as a victim of a movement run amok.
—Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024
Rather than simplistically lionizing the frikis, the directors honor their plight by portraying them as an example of how the human spirit perseveres even when nearly crushed.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
Many shared their frustration with UnitedHealthcare's practices, and Thompson's death was met with cheers or indifference by some who lionized the gunman as a folk hero.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Kavanaugh denied the allegations and, thanks to Trump and the Senate’s Republican majority, he was lionized on the right as a victim of a movement run amok.
—Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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Dozens of firefighters and police officers from across York County honored Duarte Saturday night.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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The annual celebration, known for its casual, hip, day-drinking beach party atmosphere, honors the best in indie movies and television of the past year.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And despite her delay in viewing the film, Gia Coppola can’t help but admire it.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
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It is sometimes bestowed upon men such as Trump, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson with the aid of voters who do not especially love or admire those men, but see them as the right tool for the job at the right moment.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hackman's decades-spanning career in the film industry was one revered by his peers and critics alike.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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As a boy in India in the 1970s, the writer grew up in a Hindu-nationalist family that revered Jews, despite not knowing any.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This is the conclusion of an international team of researchers who used isotope analysis to determine whether the Iron Age skulls were of locals (and therefore being venerated in death) or outsiders (and likely nailed up as a display of intimidation and power), as had both been previously argued.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
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The Oscar-winning actress, longtime activist and venerated talent will receive the 60th SAG Life Achievement Award at the 2025 SAG Awards on Sunday.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Venus is said to exalt in Pisces, per traditional astrology.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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Most of the sky will be collecting in the parts of your chart connected to important relationships and other people’s resources, and with Venus exalted in Pisces, love might reach you in the form of a care package or a helping hand.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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And influencers now respect the trust of their audience.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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All those guys need to be respected as far as winning games also.—
Chantz Martin,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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After all, most fertility specialists and advocates would welcome IVF becoming less expensive and more accessible to all, and many praised the possibility of the government doing so.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2025
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Shoppers praised the cabinet’s luxe finishes and durable design.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Most spent the weekend roaming from club to club on Sinners’ Row, returning to their respective districts to worship at temple early Sunday morning.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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That would get in the way of worshipping a goddess.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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