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
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.
That marked the culmination of a lifetime dream, Kawamura said, having grown up idolizing the game’s biggest stars. Hanako Montgomery, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 In particular, Spencer idolized Asian American figure skaters such as Nathan Chen and Vincent Zhou, as well as Maxim Naumov, whose parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were coaches at the Skating Club of Boston and also died in the plane crash. Emilie Ikeda, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025 Seeking escape, Hackman found solace in movie theaters, idolizing Errol Flynn and James Cagney. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Texas-born Pinky (Spacek) idolizes her coworker Millie (Duvall), which catapults them into a twisted relationship. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for idolize

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of idolize was in 1605

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Cite this Entry

“Idolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idolize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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
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