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's known for reshaping the Scottish government, expanding royal authority and being one of the few Scottish kings to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
In the days after Kirk’s killing, that concern spilled into public view, as attempts by Netanyahu and prominent supporters of Israel to canonize the Turning Point founder as a Zionist to the end were refuted by Kirk’s close associates, many of whom are major players in the MAGA movement.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The teen died of leukemia in 2006 and was canonized in September.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
The Saints episode about Saint Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who was canonized in September after dying from leukemia in 2006, was neither Francesca's first time in the director's chair nor her first time directing her father.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
In the days after Kirk’s killing, that concern spilled into public view, as attempts by Netanyahu and prominent supporters of Israel to canonize the Turning Point founder as a Zionist to the end were refuted by Kirk’s close associates, many of whom are major players in the MAGA movement.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The teen died of leukemia in 2006 and was canonized in September.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
The Saints episode about Saint Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who was canonized in September after dying from leukemia in 2006, was neither Francesca's first time in the director's chair nor her first time directing her father.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
Verb
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Sweet alyssum has clusters of flowers with a honey fragrance, and pollinators adore it.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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Reluctant to leave him alone, Henry insists Bill come to stay with him and his wife Pat (Katie McGrath), giving him time also with his adoring niece Debby (Tallulah Cavanaugh).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Locally, that mindset can normalize police militarization, limit free expression and elevate private interests over the public.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
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Their playoff run ended in heartbreak (a 33-30 overtime loss to Denver), and the offseason brought major change, with Sean McDermott out and Joe Brady elevated.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is the reception rotunda for Steinway Hall, a landmarked interior, where generations of pianists came to worship their instrument, talk craft, perform, and play.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
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After a childhood spent worshipping the Ramones and the Replacements, Billie Joe Armstrong co-founded Green Day with bassist Mike Dirnt in 1987.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ramstead is a firefighter and paramedic who was hired by the Pasadena Fire Department in 2005 and promoted to the rank of captain in 2016.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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This will help maintain a manageable size for indoor growing and promote a bushier appearance.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Feltner likes the direction the Rockies are headed under a new front office and pitching staff as camp opens.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
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Minnesota goodbye College hockey coaches generally don’t like to see their players leave school early for the professional ranks.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even if all these sunny promises are enshrined in contracts, built into budgets, and consecrated with good intentions, there are still plenty of ways the whole project could go kerflooey.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
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But the responsibility for Puerto Rican music at the big game rests with Woodrow Wilson and the 1917 Congress that explicitly enshrined Puerto Rico as American.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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