idolize

verb

idol·​ize ˈī-də-ˌlīz How to pronounce idolize (audio)
idolized; idolizing

transitive verb

: to worship as a god
broadly : to love or admire to excess
the common people whom he so idolized The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

: to practice idolatry
idolization noun
idolizer noun

Examples of idolize in a Sentence

an actor who is idolized by millions she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Recent Examples on the Web Bowley, president of youth sports nonprofit Costa Mesa United, was celebrated as a champion of young sports in the area and was idolized by Knapp, who tattooed his initials – G.S.F.B. – on his left arm to honor him last summer. Jack Bantock, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Both professors agree that parasocial relationships aren’t inherently problematic, and can have benefits depending on who the figure is that’s being idolized. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024 In the process, he is at once idolized and belittled. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 As a kid growing up in Seattle in the 1970s, Troy Wright idolized Muhammad Ali. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Advertisement Bryant idolized Johnson and Jordan, two prominent figures in his basketball odyssey. Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Chasing Tim Tebow, idolizing Tom Brady and fighting fires: The making of Anthony Richardson 7. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024 At the time, future fashion designer Victoria Beckham stood at the epicenter of pop culture, idolized by legions of young female fans, Lustig reported. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024 Products like chew, dip and snuff have been used by professional baseball players for decades and, whether intentional or otherwise, have led children who idolized them to adopt the same harmful habits. Kerry Watson, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idolize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of idolize was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near idolize

Cite this Entry

“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idolize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

idolize

verb
idol·​ize ˈīd-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce idolize (audio)
idolized; idolizing
: to worship as an idol : love or admire too much
idolization
ˌīd-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən
noun
idolizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on idolize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!