canonize
verb
can·on·ize
ˈka-nə-ˌnīz 
canonized
ˈka-nə-ˌnīzd
; canonizing
in "Hamlet" usually
kə-ˈnä-ˌnīzd
; canonizing
1
: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
2
: to make canonical
3
: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
4
: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to
5
: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred
… his mother had canonized all his timidities as common sense.—
F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott FitzgeraldExamples of canonize in a Sentence
She died 100 years ago and was canonized in Rome last year.
a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
Recent Examples on the Web
From ancient epics to contemporary headlines, humans have spent centuries canonizing courage as a rare and admirable virtue.
—Cynthia Pury, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1161, and his shrine at Westminster Abbey became a major pilgrimage site in medieval England.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Within two years, Pope Gregory IX had canonized him and laid the cornerstone for a basilica to house his tomb.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
His high-end ability has materialized in moments far more consequential than the two-month window of regular-season games used to canonize All-Stars.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canonize
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Cynthia Pury, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1161, and his shrine at Westminster Abbey became a major pilgrimage site in medieval England.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Within two years, Pope Gregory IX had canonized him and laid the cornerstone for a basilica to house his tomb.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
His high-end ability has materialized in moments far more consequential than the two-month window of regular-season games used to canonize All-Stars.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonize. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canonize
verb
can·on·ize
ˈkan-ə-ˌnīz
canonized; canonizing
1
: to declare to be a saint and worthy of public respect
2
: to treat something as if it were sacred
canonization
noun
ˌkan-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən
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