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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lionize
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
Leading Democrats criticized Donalds’ statement as lionizing the Jim Crow era.
—Louis Jacobson and Samantha Putterman, Austin American-Statesman, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lionize 
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
Leading Democrats criticized Donalds’ statement as lionizing the Jim Crow era.
—Louis Jacobson and Samantha Putterman, Austin American-Statesman, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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Listen to this article Mount Soledad to unveil Medal of Honor plaque The Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial in La Jolla will unveil its 32nd Medal of Honor plaque during a ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 19, honoring late Gunnery Sgt.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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Earlier this month, Middleton honored World Cancer Day ahead of a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
11 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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The Stonewall Inn at the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village is prized as an origin of the contemporary LGBTQ rights movement and is internationally revered as a symbol of gay, lesbian and transgender resistance.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
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Nevertheless, tradition reveres him as the greatest king of Israel and Judah, the author of beautiful poetry and the father of King Solomon, who is credited with the ultimate biblical love poem, the Song of Songs.—
Jacob F. Love,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Those ancestors are to be venerated and eternally respected, not used as shorthand for the disparagement of their descendants’ art, which often explicitly exalts their history.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
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Men's Royal Rumble This year, the Men's Royal Rumble is filled with plenty of deserving talent, with exciting newcomers like Jacob Fatu and venerated veterans like Rey Mysterio.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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While its fashion is increasingly more in tune with customers’ demand for clothing apt for outdoorsy experiences, the brand’s sustainability credentials and link with the sea are being exalted via lifestyle-leaning activations and communication initiatives.—
Martino Carrera,
WWD,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As part of this heartfelt remembrance, Briscoe and Truex Jr.'s former team are participating in respecting his legacy in the sport.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Our research finds that Baltimore City and Maryland are trailblazers in respecting gender equity in public health data.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass, praised Soboroff’s lengthy record in the city, working to develop Playa Vista, bringing Staples Center — now Crypto.com Arena — to downtown and serving on the Board of Police Commissioners.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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In between awards at the Friday, Feb. 7 ceremony in Los Angeles, host Handler, 49, stood next to Fiennes' table and began praising Nicole Kidman's 2024 erotic thriller Babygirl.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Beth is the director of prayer and worship life at The Upper Room and dean of The Upper Room Chapel.—
Judy Holmes,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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This was the end of DreamWorks Animation’s biblical adaptations, before the company began to worship new gods like Shrek, Trolls, and the Penguins of Madagascar.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near lionize
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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