Lionize
To treat someone as a celebrity; to praise or honor someone as if they were famous.
verbLionize
To treat someone as a celebrity; to praise or honor someone as if they were famous.
verbImagine This
In the eyes of all the animals, the Lion King is the king of the animal kingdom, and they have to treat him with respect.
Sounds Like
LIE-uh-nize
Looks Like
lion eyes
Remember This
The verb lionize is often used with people the speaker views as celebrities or heroes; it can carry either a neutral or slightly critical tone depending on context (to over-praise).
Other Forms
Note
Do not confuse with 'lioness' or treat it as a literal statement about lions; here it means to elevate someone to celebrity status.
Study Deeper
- The tabloids tend to lionize movie stars after a hit premiere.
- The city honored the veteran by lionizing him at a public ceremony.
From the noun 'lion' plus the suffix '-ize' in English; first used in the early 19th century to mean 'to treat as a lion' or 'to make into a celebrity'.
LIONIZE = LION + IZE: to make someone a lion in status; imagine a person being paraded on a pedestal like a royal lion.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Exalt
verbTo praise highly; to elevate in status or honor.
Laud
verbTo praise highly; to extol or exalt.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.