as in adoring
reflecting great admiration or devotion
gave his fiancée an idolizing glance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in worshipping
to love or admire too much
she blindly idolized her older sister, refusing to acknowledge any of her faults
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idolizing
Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Many of us grew up idolizing astronauts as the best of the best that America — and other nations — have to offer.
—Space.com Staff, Space.com, 9 May 2026
But as a kid who grew up idolizing Michael Jordan in the ’90s, Graham still felt this moment meant something more — to himself, to his family and to basketball as a whole.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The Liberty, who won the 2024 WNBA championship, are led by a trio of veteran superstars in two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones and four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, players that most of Connecticut’s young talent grew up idolizing.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
That’s part of the charm of idolizing one of the sport’s greatest ball movers.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
McGonigle grew up idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley, who is going into the club's Wall of Fame in August.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
For those of us who grew up idolizing the 38-year singer and actor, that candor is classic Hilary.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Born in 2010, Krishna was behind the scenes for a lot of the series, even idolizing Kelly Clarkson when the singer made an appearance during season 17.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Many of us grew up idolizing astronauts as the best of the best that America — and other nations — have to offer.
—Space.com Staff, Space.com, 9 May 2026
But as a kid who grew up idolizing Michael Jordan in the ’90s, Graham still felt this moment meant something more — to himself, to his family and to basketball as a whole.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The Liberty, who won the 2024 WNBA championship, are led by a trio of veteran superstars in two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones and four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, players that most of Connecticut’s young talent grew up idolizing.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
That’s part of the charm of idolizing one of the sport’s greatest ball movers.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
McGonigle grew up idolizing Phillies legend Chase Utley, who is going into the club's Wall of Fame in August.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
For those of us who grew up idolizing the 38-year singer and actor, that candor is classic Hilary.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idolizing
Adjective
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Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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But a falling out with former owner Glen Taylor kept him from returning to his ‘Sota to give adoring fans another chance to thank him for 14 seasons with No. 21 on his back and Minnesota in his heart.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dungo’s graphic novel blends this youthful love story with the history of surfing, something Kristen deeply respects, worshipping at the altar of history’s famous surfers in an almost existential fashion.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Bowing down and worshiping an idol is sinful.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idolizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idolizing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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