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
Some will lionize the killer, while others succumb to the temptation to defend the insurance companies.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Following the shooting, a community of fans lionized the shooter as a left-wing folk hero standing up for the common man against the evils of the US health care system.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024
In the aftermath of the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, social media exploded with those decrying it and others lionizing the chief suspect, Luigi Mangione.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
He has been further lionized in a post-Soviet Russia.
—Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2016
See all Example Sentences for lionize 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Following the shooting, a community of fans lionized the shooter as a left-wing folk hero standing up for the common man against the evils of the US health care system.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024
In the aftermath of the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, social media exploded with those decrying it and others lionizing the chief suspect, Luigi Mangione.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
He has been further lionized in a post-Soviet Russia.
—Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2016
See all Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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The question should be whether a mayor of New York honors his duty to protect taxpayer funds, or looks for opportunities to bend them to his personal and political gain.New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
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Most of the rest of the dishes also feature seafood, honoring the city’s deep roots in fishing.Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Leverkusen are admired for their recruitment and advanced planning.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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If this is cinema as poetry, these are verses made to be framed and admired, rather than sung or felt.Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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De Minaur reveres the country’s greats, including Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Pat Rafter, along with his own mentors, Lleyton Hewitt and Tony Roche.Cindy Shmerler, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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In a world that reveres Black excellence over Black humanity, Viola Davis is an easy beacon to reinforce that mindset.Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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French President Emmanuel Macron venerated Carter for speaking for those without much voice, and other world leaders praised Carter for promoting peace and human rights.Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024
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Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer).Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Venus in Pisces — responding to Taurus, ruled by Venus — brings romance and dream-like qualities, considering the love planet also exalts here, which is equivalent to saying that themes of love and romance are sensual, empathic and deeply spiritual.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
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Additionally, Venus exalted in Pisces will tempt us into pleasure-seeking mode, even if Saturn is there to deny or restrain the ideal version of the good time Venus is seeking.Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Amazon’s ad service highlights the need to reexamine how consent is obtained, understood, and respected in retail media.Jason Snyder, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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Thank you for respecting these simple car etiquette rules.Toria Sheffield, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But while law enforcement praises corporations for handing over driver data, others are concerned that most of the information collected could be violating people’s privacy.Chris Isidore, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
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The conversation between the three actresses then shifted to Shields' praising Swift for discussing body image and the pressure to look perfect during her 2020 documentary, Miss Americana.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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None of this will be a revelation to video art enthusiasts, who have long worshipped at Steina’s feet.Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
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Vulture Cultures Ian Rose April 10, 2024 By turns worshipped and reviled, the bird frequently associated with death has appeared in art works for thousands of years.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near lionize
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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