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
There’s always backlash; history lionizes you as a hero, but until then a lot of people castigate you as a villain.
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Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024
Although the United States refused to send its athletes to Moscow in 1980 after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Russian writers such as Boris Pasternak and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn continued to be lionized as voices of conscience.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2023
Trump’s allies have wasted no time in lionizing him and using the attempt on his life as campaign fodder.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024
The post was followed up by a YouTube video lionizing GameStop that was made many years ago.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lionize 
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024
Although the United States refused to send its athletes to Moscow in 1980 after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Russian writers such as Boris Pasternak and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn continued to be lionized as voices of conscience.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2023
Trump’s allies have wasted no time in lionizing him and using the attempt on his life as campaign fodder.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024
The post was followed up by a YouTube video lionizing GameStop that was made many years ago.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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In 2019, the Antioch City Council honored Sobalvarro for her 40 years of service during its meeting.Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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North Korea may have decided to send troops to Russia not just to honor the two countries’ new defense treaty but also to afford the North Korean military firsthand combat experience.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
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From Royal Ascot in June to the Earthshot tour in Singapore last year, the blue design (made from approximately 3.5 plastic bottles) even got admired by British designer Stella McCartney earlier this year.Monique Jessen, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Hisham Younes, who runs the environmental organization Green Southerners, says generations of southerners admired Mhaibib for its one-or two-story stone homes, some built by Jaber’s grandfather and his friends.Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Opium is revered by Carti truthers who treat his 2020 album Whole Lotta Red as the Bible, and denigrated by non-believers as a bunch of edgelords who come off as wannabe Satan-worshipers.Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
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The auction house also stated that bids came in from 39 countries and 36 U.S. states, highlighting just how revered Klein’s collection has become over the years.Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The word is divine; God is best worshipped by venerating his language.Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
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The people would create saints out of their ancestors and venerate them under the disguise of religion.Damien Scott, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
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At the company’s annual sales conference, a mammoth extravaganza at Disney World, teamwork was exalted in music, skits, speeches, on shirts, on hats, and on every trinket imaginable.Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
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Still Burns Here; the impact of that looms greatly on this record, which exalts the body in all its possibilities and inherent limitations.Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
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While not as well known as the chief lobbyist for gun owners, the National Rifle Association, the NSSF is respected and influential in business, political and gun-rights communities.Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
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Candidates spoke of the opportunity in Tustin to grow with new businesses and homes while also respecting the city’s history.Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In our review of the AirPods 4, our expert Tim Gideon praised the impressive bass response these earbuds deliver, as well as the hands-free Siri access and the possibility to use gestures to interact with the assistant.Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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Read Article > Elon Musk spent Election Day on X praising men, amplifying anti-immigrant conspiracies, and accusing Democrats of voter fraud.Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Those who worship him must be helped to see that their rage and longing for protection blind them to reality.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
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The family worshipped at a liberal Episcopal church in downtown Atlanta, which, during the AIDS epidemic ministered to the L.G.B.T.Q. community.Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near lionize
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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