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—
Scott Fitzgerald
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
In 2018, Pope Paul was canonized a saint of the Catholic Church.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
He was later canonized and is known as, among other things, the patron saint of adult education and journalists.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
It’s been sort of a slow burn itself, the way it’s been canonized, and for example, just now getting a Criterion release.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
He was later canonized and is known as, among other things, the patron saint of adult education and journalists.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
It’s been sort of a slow burn itself, the way it’s been canonized, and for example, just now getting a Criterion release.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonize. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share