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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The hundreds of millions of people who follow her are aware of this disconnect and embrace the contrived aspect of her persona in a way that’s more meta than classic Hollywood hero worship. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for hero-worship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship

Verb

Gore says his commitment to Hammer, his first major acquisition in the film world, is backed by a deeply personal connection, having adored its horrors while growing up in the late 60s and 70s.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Ming and Wah are ten-year-old twins who adore a good mystery.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 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

For all its flowering of original thought and creativity, the Renaissance was ultimately a time of patronage, and the patrons both held the power and used it to enrich their own palaces and places of worship.

— Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
In some Bengali traditions, Vijayadashami rituals include Aparajita Puja, the worship of the goddess in her invincible form, sometimes represented by the butterfly pea plant.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

The leader of the breakfast and lunch chain, which brings in over $1 billion in annual revenue, likes to break bread with staffers rather than hide away in a corner office.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Overcast Milan was looking even grayer than I’d have liked, but I was heartened by a gracious welcome at the Park Hyatt, tucked away on a side street of the Piazza del Duomo.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

The one-minute television spot includes Poindexter’s daughters praising their father for his work ethic and dedication to their family.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
Smoke’N Ash is also praised for Patrick Hicks’ brisket, pork ribs and rib tips, along with an extensive menu of desserts.

— Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

Pan recalled attending a symphony in elementary school, while Kiley expressed his adoration for the Folsom Lake Symphony.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of adoration

Verb

Brown said a wild Knicks fan tailed him home to congratulate him on winning the Finals during a bike ride over the offseason.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Browse Nearby Words

heroizing

hero-worship

hero worship

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Style

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hero-worship

verb

noun

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