lionize

verb

Definition of lionizenext
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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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 lionize In the early days of the war, Union troops from Boston had borrowed the familiar melody of a religious camp meeting song and added new lyrics lionizing John Brown, the leader of the 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 There are episodes that reflect the tendency to lionize the Founders in a way that is incomplete. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026 Greenspan was the rare celebrity among central bankers, lionized for his economic stewardship in the 1990s. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 22 June 2026 Jay Cooke, who had once been lionized for his role in financing the Union victory, was attacked in the press and accused of cheating ordinary Americans out of their savings. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lionize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionize
  1. honor
  2. admire
  3. revere
  4. venerate
  5. exalt
  6. respect
  7. praise
  8. worship
Verb
  • Ho, who co-founded 852 Films, picked up the Fantastic Icon Award at BIFAN’s 30th edition, honoring her body of work in genre film.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The discovery led to a complete redesign of the project, shifting the hotel inland to preserve the sacred site and honor the ancestors who remain there.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of honor
Verb
  • Ellison is said to genuinely admire Weiss and her vision, which is premised on appealing to a silent majority of Americans who are not far left or far right, and being somewhat contrarian or against the grain.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Chicago White Sox first baseman took a couple of seconds to admire the blast, then tossed the bat and turned to his teammates in the dugout, yelling in excitement.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of admire
Verb
  • Water in every form is revered in Thailand, Jern explained, and the Chao Phraya has special status.
    — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • He will long be remembered and revered for his durability and loyalty to the Falcons and his proficiency at his craft.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of revere
Verb
  • Reed, venerated for his solo artistry and collaborations with the Velvet Underground, is a quintessential New York City artist of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The kids who venerate McQueen as a fashion figurehead these days, after all, are likely to be found at the Cyberdog, just like McGirr once was.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of venerate
Verb
  • Her dense imagery, exalting family and the Black communities of her native Columbus, Ohio, made her one of America’s great storytellers in any medium.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Mercury is exalted in Virgo until September 10, so the first part of the month is a good time to get into the logistical weeds about it.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of exalt
Verb
  • Slam Frank’s provocations, however, are leavened by Fox’s genuine skill with and respect for musical theater.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Humanity Needs Shared International Thresholds​ Advanced AI does not respect national boundaries.
    — Babajide Ojuola, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of respect
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
Verb
  • The first Christians worshipped primarily in each other’s homes.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • These young men feared that worshipping in Hebrew, which many congregants did not understand, was driving away the next generation of Jews.
    — Ashley Walters, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of worship

Browse Nearby Words

lionizations
lionize
lionized
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Cite this Entry

“Lionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionize. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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