as in to adore
to love or admire too much
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
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Recent Examples of idolize
Having access to the network of former UConn superstars is still surreal for Vukosa, who grew up idolizing Breanna Stewart and attends the same high school as Hall of Famer Sue Bird and WNBA MVP Tina Charles.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
While Willis, an Atlanta native who idolized Michael Vick growing up, attempts to downplay his mobility, the people around him, those who have coached him, view it as his superpower.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McGonigle grew up idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley, who is going into the club's Wall of Fame in August.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Bonzagni, who grew up a Rangers fan and idolized outfielders David Murphy, Craig Gentry and Josh Hamilton, didn’t make Carroll’s varsity team in any of his first three high school seasons.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
While Willis, an Atlanta native who idolized Michael Vick growing up, attempts to downplay his mobility, the people around him, those who have coached him, view it as his superpower.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McGonigle grew up idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley, who is going into the club's Wall of Fame in August.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Bonzagni, who grew up a Rangers fan and idolized outfielders David Murphy, Craig Gentry and Josh Hamilton, didn’t make Carroll’s varsity team in any of his first three high school seasons.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idolize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolize
Verb
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League handlers gave Heidenreich a chance to walk through the crowd and dap up the adoring fans.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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This affectionate boy adores people, thrives on human attention and will happily lean in for pets, snuggles or just to be close.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and in 1977, the state built an obelisk on the church’s grounds to honor Benjamin Banneker, a naturalist and mathematician who reportedly worshipped at the church during the early 1800s.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
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Takaichi notably did not worship at Yasukuni personally, instead sending her offerings through an intermediary.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His mom likes another young lady for her son, not my daughter.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Knicks head coach Mike Brown likes to carry an iPad with him.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolize. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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