as in to honor
to treat (someone) as a very important and famous person
She was lionized everywhere after her novel won the Pulitzer Prize.
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Recent Examples of lionize
Star hosts like Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters can be expected to lionize Mr. Trump and the Fox alumni joining him in Washington.
—
Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
During the era of hip-hop and Hollywood’s new black intellectual properties (Eddie Murphy, Prince, Spike Lee, et al.), Wilson was lionized as American theater’s foremost black playwright.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024
Rather than simplistically lionizing the frikis, the directors honor their plight by portraying them as an example of how the human spirit perseveres even when nearly crushed.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
Many shared their frustration with UnitedHealthcare's practices, and Thompson's death was met with cheers or indifference by some who lionized the gunman as a folk hero.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
During the era of hip-hop and Hollywood’s new black intellectual properties (Eddie Murphy, Prince, Spike Lee, et al.), Wilson was lionized as American theater’s foremost black playwright.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024
Rather than simplistically lionizing the frikis, the directors honor their plight by portraying them as an example of how the human spirit perseveres even when nearly crushed.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
Many shared their frustration with UnitedHealthcare's practices, and Thompson's death was met with cheers or indifference by some who lionized the gunman as a folk hero.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
Verb
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Now the storied pharmacist and retailer won’t honor that milestone, because it no longer will be publicly owned.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
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And having young people celebrate 100 days of school by honoring our elders can be a great thing.—
Kelly Papa,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Visitors can explore the maze of islands by kayak or longtail boats, ducking into hidden caves and secret lagoons and hopping in the shallow water to admire its colorful coral reefs.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2025
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The Russian intelligentsia had once admired Ukraine, seeing in it the birthplace of the Muscovite dynasty and Orthodoxy.—
James Verini,
The New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hackman's decades-spanning career in the film industry was one revered by his peers and critics alike.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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As a boy in India in the 1970s, the writer grew up in a Hindu-nationalist family that revered Jews, despite not knowing any.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This is the conclusion of an international team of researchers who used isotope analysis to determine whether the Iron Age skulls were of locals (and therefore being venerated in death) or outsiders (and likely nailed up as a display of intimidation and power), as had both been previously argued.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
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The Oscar-winning actress, longtime activist and venerated talent will receive the 60th SAG Life Achievement Award at the 2025 SAG Awards on Sunday.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Venus is said to exalt in Pisces, per traditional astrology.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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Most of the sky will be collecting in the parts of your chart connected to important relationships and other people’s resources, and with Venus exalted in Pisces, love might reach you in the form of a care package or a helping hand.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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And influencers now respect the trust of their audience.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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During his first eight years, did Lula respect democratic boundaries?—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The comedian, who co-starred in Next Friday and Friday After Next, went on to praise Cube for putting people on.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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The gist: five previous winners of each category — Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress — are brought on stage to present and praise the nominees and announce the winner.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Dolls worshipped tough New York pop queens like the Ronettes and the Shangri-Las, cosplaying as bad girls and teetering on their high heels.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
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The small congregation has worshipped online since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has been trying to get help to fix the roof so members could return to the building.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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