1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much
a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to
those movie buffs who have canonized Alfred Hitchcock as filmdom's preeminent director
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canonize
He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1161, and his shrine at Westminster Abbey became a major pilgrimage site in medieval England.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
His high-end ability has materialized in moments far more consequential than the two-month window of regular-season games used to canonize All-Stars.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
One of the most iconic couples of the 1990s, Carolyn and John’s place in Kennedy history was canonized by their untimely death by plane crash in 1999.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Nagahisa ultimately blends the digital with the all-too-real in innovative, haunting, formally exhilarating ways; he should be canonized alongside Jane Schoenbrun and French director duo Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel.
—Blake Simons, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
His high-end ability has materialized in moments far more consequential than the two-month window of regular-season games used to canonize All-Stars.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
One of the most iconic couples of the 1990s, Carolyn and John’s place in Kennedy history was canonized by their untimely death by plane crash in 1999.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Nagahisa ultimately blends the digital with the all-too-real in innovative, haunting, formally exhilarating ways; he should be canonized alongside Jane Schoenbrun and French director duo Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel.
—Blake Simons, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
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Before long, he is totally shunned from the scene that once adored him.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Rose petals thrown into the air slightly obstructed the view of her adoring fans like a beautiful red snowstorm.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Carragher acknowledged that Slot’s achievement in winning the Premier League in his first campaign elevated him to a level above what fellow Dutchman Ten Hag achieved in just over two years as Manchester United manager following his summer 2022 appointment, but the point stood.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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This matching set gives a sporty-chic vibe, thanks to contrast stripes along the sleeves, adding just enough detail to elevate it beyond your standard loungewear.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Those critics referenced the golden calf idol worshipped by the Israelites before Moses returned from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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For nearly five centuries, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties came here to worship Heaven and pray for good harvests.—
Xianda Huang,
The Conversation,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The top professional sports leagues formed a coalition with some broadcasters, including NBC and Fox, three years ago and agreed that betting should be marketed only to fans of legal age and that excessive gambling should not be promoted.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
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Musk promoted the accomplishment on Twitter.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The Crusaders do not like to share.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Group of beginners, hobbyists and professionals who like to take and share photos.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Two days later, the Declaration and Constitution were formally enshrined, joining the Bill of Rights at last in the space built so long ago to house them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
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Ouija boards were enshrined in glass cases throughout the room; periodically, a small silver bell tolled without warning, moving as though on its own.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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