as in adoring
reflecting great admiration or devotion
gave his fiancée an idolizing glance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in worshipping
to love or admire too much
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idolizing
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
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
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
As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
For those of us who grew up idolizing the 38-year singer and actor, that candor is classic Hilary.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
Regenda grew up idolizing other Slovakian stars like Marian Hossa, Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, and Zdeno Chara.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
But in October 2024, Vladimir Kramnik, a former Russian World Chess Champion who Naroditsky grew up idolizing, began publicly insinuating that Naroditsky might be using computer assistance during online games.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
Bergman grew up idolizing the famed attorney.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
That’s part of the charm of idolizing one of the sport’s greatest ball movers.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
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
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
As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
For those of us who grew up idolizing the 38-year singer and actor, that candor is classic Hilary.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
Regenda grew up idolizing other Slovakian stars like Marian Hossa, Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, and Zdeno Chara.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
But in October 2024, Vladimir Kramnik, a former Russian World Chess Champion who Naroditsky grew up idolizing, began publicly insinuating that Naroditsky might be using computer assistance during online games.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
Bergman grew up idolizing the famed attorney.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolizing
Adjective
-
Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But a falling out with former owner Glen Taylor kept him from returning to his ‘Sota to give adoring fans another chance to thank him for 14 seasons with No. 21 on his back and Minnesota in his heart.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cage fans already knew the actor could play twisted roles well, but his demented performance as the Satan-worshipping killer still disturbed and delighted audiences.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
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One raunchy session from 1975 with a lover named Mike Karton begins with Peter worshipping Karton’s jockstrap in his Second Avenue loft.—
Andrew Durbin,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolizing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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