1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much
people who hero-worship celebrities are setting themselves up for disappointment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overpraise
to praise too much
a golfing pro who is hero-worshipped by hordes of weekend duffers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person
once the object of uncritical hero worship, the aging quarterback now faces the derision of his team's fickle fans
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hero-worship
Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024
There’s a pleasing economy to that set-up, establishing the family dynamic of a man ruled by a monomaniacal focus, a stoical woman who keeps her distance from his professional pursuits, and hero-worshipping sons who seem a safe bet to try to emulate their dad in the ring.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2024
In the translator Jennifer Croft’s first novel, a band of translators from around the world navigates romantic entanglements and their hero worship of an elusive Polish author.
—Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 14 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
Verb
The film’s gaze is arguably as mocking as it is dazzled — with the macho posturing and hero-worship of Roca Rey a tacit source of comedy — while Serra, living up to his reputation for challenging arthouse fare, doesn’t flinch in his presentation of animal abuse and suffering.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024
There’s a pleasing economy to that set-up, establishing the family dynamic of a man ruled by a monomaniacal focus, a stoical woman who keeps her distance from his professional pursuits, and hero-worshipping sons who seem a safe bet to try to emulate their dad in the ring.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
Folie à Deux has much to say about the state of society and questionable hero worship in the name of keeping the masses entertained in a TMZ era.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2024
In the translator Jennifer Croft’s first novel, a band of translators from around the world navigates romantic entanglements and their hero worship of an elusive Polish author.
—Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 14 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship
Verb
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The seven-time world champion made the comments in front of his adoring fans at F1’s official launch show in London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
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The British voters adore the German director Berger; their love for his last film All Quiet on the Western Front, which won seven BAFTAs, was not replicated at that year’s Oscars ceremony.—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Know-nothings pretend that Schrader’s Bressonian mannerisms reveal the spiritual depths of contemporary crisis, when, in fact, Master Gardener repeats the same social-collapse paranoia that made secular reviewers overpraise the religious, racial, suicide-bomber topics of First Reformed.—
Armond White,
National Review,
24 May 2023
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He’s overpraised of course.—
Nick Laird,
The New York Review of Books,
16 Mar. 2023
Noun
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The agency has been granted greater authority, with restrictions lifted on conducting arrests in sensitive locations such as schools, health-care facilities and places of worship.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Those include one from 2021 allowing people to split their single-family homes into duplexes; and another from 2024 enabling churches and other places of worship to build affordable housing on their properties.—
CALmatters,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jatropha plants do not like winter weather and even chilly conditions may cause leaf loss.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
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Francis likes to keep people on their toes and will have known that announcing the consistory would set off plenty of speculation.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Shoppers praised the cabinet’s luxe finishes and durable design.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2025
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After all, most fertility specialists and advocates would welcome IVF becoming less expensive and more accessible to all, and many praised the possibility of the government doing so.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There’s nothing basic about Denzel’s adoration for his wife, though.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
25 Feb. 2025
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Kathy Bates earns her Oscar and then some, taking Annie's terrifying adoration for James Caan's Sheldon to a disturbing, hide-your-eyes level.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The avid sports fans grew up idolizing the 1980 Eagle Super Bowl champs (running back Wilbert Montgomery and wide receiver Harold Carmichael).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Michael grew up in Cleveland, in a religious household where the artists his future wife idolized, like Salt-N-Pepa, were strictly prohibited.—
Marissa R. Moss,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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From one Canadian to another, and one 6-foot-6, 220-pound statue to another, Pronger congratulated Parayko on his gold medal at the 4 Nations Face-Off.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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Jonathan Van Ness made one lucky fan smile after congratulating her on her engagement to her girlfriend after her parents didn't.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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