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
Conservatives memorialize Kirk as 'martyr' and 'warrior' Kirk was lionized by several speakers as a modern-day martyr, many using the word in the context of his Christian faith.
—
Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
That doesn't excuse lionizing a complex person and ignoring whatever controversies might have surrounded them.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Barry Goldwater thundered against centralized power, Ronald Reagan lionized hands-off government and liberty, and even Richard Nixon respected certain limits.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The father’s book excerpt lionizing suicide bombers, many of whom were aimed at Israeli civilians by Palestinian groups, resurfaced on social media Thursday night.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
That doesn't excuse lionizing a complex person and ignoring whatever controversies might have surrounded them.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Barry Goldwater thundered against centralized power, Ronald Reagan lionized hands-off government and liberty, and even Richard Nixon respected certain limits.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The father’s book excerpt lionizing suicide bombers, many of whom were aimed at Israeli civilians by Palestinian groups, resurfaced on social media Thursday night.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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Davion and Donta King were there to honor their father, Anthony King, a transportation department employee who died in 2013.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Oct. 2025
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The event features more than 40 ofrendas honoring family and friends who have died.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Known for his comic relief, zany ways of thinking, and cravings for bizarre foods, the audience admires his individuality and loyalty to Scooby.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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Some tools are made to be admired and fondled as much as they're made to actually be used.—
Ben Coxworth
October 10,
New Atlas,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bernie Mac, who starred in the Ocean's trilogy as fast-talking Frank Catton and was revered as one of the funniest comic actors of the last half-century, died at 50 due to cardiac arrest just a year after Ocean's 13 premiered.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
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Mothers are simultaneously revered and ignored in many ways.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Democrat who venerates more government but sidesteps California’s failing public schools and crushing cost of living.—
John H Bolthouse,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
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For all their differences in background, temperament, and approaches to art, Matisse and Picasso both venerated Cézanne, Delacroix, Manet, and van Gogh.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Weeping delights in the exalted, the sublime, the magnificent — a symphony, a vista, megafauna, even a brilliant dissertation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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In developing proprietary colors and in-house embroideries, the late founder set a template that Shukla is exalting.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Parents play the most important role in guiding their children on these sensitive topics, and schools should respect and support a family’s values by focusing on providing a strong academic foundation.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
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The impact is a culture where collaboration thrives, creativity is respected and results are built on mutual confidence.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The bills were also praised by animal rights organizations; the governor also signed a bill this week to ban the declawing of cats in the state.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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While praising Keaton as a performer, Meyers, who wrote Baby Boom and the Father of the Bride films and wrote and directed Something’s Gotta Give, looked back on their close working relationship.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hermes Trismegistus was the god of the occult and magic, worshipped by the ancient Greeks in the Ptolemaic Kingdom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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Its followers strictly adhere to the 29 commandments of Guru Jambheshwar, which include the sacred principles of worshiping and protecting all animals.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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