LIONIZED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

lionized

verb

past tense of lionize

as in admired

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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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 lionized Soaring energy prices and inflation have added to the burden as the tourism sector struggles to draw visitors to landscapes lionized in Hollywood by Peter O’Toole, Harrison Ford and Matt Damon. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 Fauci, 85, truly one of humanity’s great public health heroes, will be lionized in history long after mediocrities like Paul, Uthmeier and Scott have been relegated to footnotes. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 Greenspan was the rare celebrity among central bankers, lionized for his economic stewardship in the 1990s — and a reputation tarnished by the global financial crisis of 2008. — June 22, 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 Nursing has long been lionized as one of the most stable and safe professions for young graduates to pursue. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 His work here should be respected, not lionized. — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026 Some people have lionized Mangione as a sort of vigilante hero. — CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026 To see that kind of big-budget artistry properly lionized, given some of the duds the Academy has recognized in recent years—I’m looking at you, Green Book—felt like a true triumph. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lionized

Verb

John Rich produced Anderson’s 2007 album Easy Money, and admired the artist.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
On top of these heat-seeking missiles, the platforms play to humans’ (particularly teens’) need to be accepted and admired by peers.

— Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of admired

Verb

Before the game, first responders were honored and both coaches made sure to express their gratitude for the swift and effective work of those who protected the communities.

— Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The Persian Gulf state has declared force majeure — citing unexpected, uncontrollable events preventing contracts from being honored — every month since the March attack.

— Spencer Kimball,Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of honored

Verb

In recent years, runs of Chinook, or king salmon, the biggest and most revered species on the Yukon River, have been down as much as eighty per cent from average levels, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
No one, not even one as respected and revered as Abraham Lincoln, could predict the future.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of revered

Verb

More than half of that money has come from a venture capitalist who has publicly praised Elon Musk and a political action committee run by Airbnb, the rental giant currently facing a lawsuit from the city for price gouging during the wildfires.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Hamas praised the attack in a statement but did not claim responsibility.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of praised

Verb

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the right to protest must be respected as long as demonstrations remain lawful, while condemning violence, looting and occupations.

— Amanda Macias, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
What drives genuine enjoyment, loyalty, and performance are feeling that your work matters and feeling respected, supported, and connected to the people around you.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of respected

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
Since at least 1389, two vials purportedly containing the saint’s blood have been venerated in Naples because of their inexplicable ability to liquefy on his feast days.

— Clare Whitton, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of venerated

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lionized

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“Lionized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lionized. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lionized

verb

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