HERO-WORSHIP Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

hero-worship 1 of 2

verb

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō-ˌwər-ship

Definition of hero-worship

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

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

hero worship

2 of 2

noun

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

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.

Recent Examples of hero-worship

Verb

When The Athletic visited Tashkent for the March international break, the hero-worship hadn’t yet ceased; Cannavaro was applauded both into and out of the press conference room by journalists, while some asked for selfies. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026 In an accompanying statement, Yungblud said that the record explores the theme of hero-worship. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025

Noun

This is the vibe that Edgar Wright is chasing with his version of The Running Man, which hews closely to the original text with a fidelity bordering on hero worship. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025 Bruins players receive their share of glory and hero worship. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hero-worship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship

Verb

Jackson, his sisters said, adored math and video games like Fortnite and Roblox.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
And like their counterparts in Oakland (and lately in Boston as well), the Angels’ adoring fans have started chanting their wants and desires, hoping that a change at the top will make this franchise relevant again.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.

— Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

Noun

Historically, the Catholic Church had denied religious funerals inside its houses of worship as well as traditional burials for those who died in this way.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Nearby are the Druidical worship sites of Avebury and Stonehenge; there is a Celtic burial ground hidden in one of Ashcombe's deep, romantic coombes.

— Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

Shilpa's incredible pie crust has cream cheese in it or there are many pie makers that like to use lard or shortenings.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2026
And what that’s telling us is that there’s a molecule, ozone in that case, that really likes to absorb that wavelength of light and therefore make the planet appear a little bit larger.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2026

Definition of like

Verb

Following Fuentes’ lead, other influencers on the far-right have also taken to questioning the Holocaust and filming videos praising Adolf Hitler, throwing Nazi salutes and singing along to antisemitic songs.

— Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Bill Clinton, who was giving that day’s commencement address, praised El-Sayed in his own remarks.

— Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

Part of that adoration comes from a high level of public awareness about wildlife and conservation in Tasmania, home to many endemic species found nowhere else in the world.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Marylanders showed their adoration by naming Montgomery County for him.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of adoration

Verb

One of six children, Tyler grew up idolizing Tina Turner and Janis Joplin and singing hymns in the Anglican church her parents attended.

— Adela Suliman, NBC news, 9 July 2026
The Muslim teen from Jersey City idolizes Captain Marvel and the Avengers but doesn't dare dream of being like them.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of idolize

Browse Nearby Words

heroizing

hero-worship

hero worship

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hero-worship

verb

noun

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