Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense lionizes, present participle lionizing, past tense, past participle lionizedregional note: in BRIT, also use lionise
verb
If someone is lionized, they are treated as if they are very important or special by a particular group of people, often when they do not really deserve to be.
[formal]
By the 1920's, he was lionised by literary London. [beVERB-ed]
The press began to lionize him enthusiastically. [VERB noun]
In 1936, Max Schmeling had been lionised as boxing's great hope. [beVERB-ed + as]
Synonyms: idolize, celebrate, honour, acclaim More Synonyms of lionize
lionize in British English
or lionise (ˈlaɪəˌnaɪz)
verb
(transitive)
to treat as or make into a celebrity
Derived forms
lionization (ˌlioniˈzation) or lionisation (ˌlioniˈsation)
noun
lionizer (ˈlionˌizer) or lioniser (ˈlionˌiser)
noun
lionize in American English
(ˈlaɪəˌnaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈlionˌized or ˈlionˌizing
1.
to treat as a celebrity
2. British
to visit the interesting sights of (a place)
Derived forms
lionization (ˌlioniˈzation)
noun
lionizer (ˈlionˌizer)
noun
Word origin
UNRESOLVED CROSS REF + -ize
Synonyms of 'lionize'
idolize, celebrate, honour, acclaim
More Synonyms of lionize
(verb)
Definition
to treat as a celebrity
The press began to lionize him enthusiastically.
Synonyms
idolize
Naomi idolized her father as she was growing up.
celebrate
a festival to celebrate the life and work of this great composer
honour
Two pioneering surgeons were honoured with the Nobel Prize.
acclaim
He was acclaimed as the country's greatest modern painter.
mob
exalt
This book exalts her as a genius.
make much of
crack up (informal)
hero-worship
fête
The composer was fêted at a special dinner.
big up (slang)
eulogize
He eulogized Keegan's part in the operation.
aggrandize
adulate
glorify
the banning of songs glorifying war
sing or sound the praises of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acclaim
Definition
to applaud or praise
He was acclaimed as the country's greatest modern painter.
Synonyms
praise,
celebrate,
honour,
cheer,
admire,
hail,
applaud,
compliment,
salute,
approve,
congratulate,
clap,
pay tribute to,
commend,
exalt,
laud (literary),
extol,
crack up (informal),
big up (slang),
give it up for (slang),
eulogize
in the sense of celebrate
Definition
to praise publicly
a festival to celebrate the life and work of this great composer
Synonyms
praise,
honour,
commend (informal),
glorify,
publicize,
exalt,
laud (literary),
extol,
big up (slang),
eulogize,
crack up
in the sense of eulogize
Definition
to praise (a person or thing) highly in speech or writing
He eulogized Keegan's part in the operation.
Synonyms
praise,
acclaim,
applaud,
compliment,
pay tribute to,
commend,
magnify (archaic),
glorify,
exalt,
laud (literary),
extol,
big up (slang),
rhapsodize,
panegyrize,
sing or sound the praises of
Nearby words of
lionize
lion
lion's share
lion-hearted
lionize
lip
liquefaction
liquefy
Synonyms of 'lionize'
lionize
Explore 'lionize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of exalt
Definition
to praise highly
This book exalts her as a genius.
Synonyms
praise,
acclaim,
applaud,
pay tribute to,
bless,
worship,
magnify (archaic),
glorify,
reverence,
laud (literary),
extol,
crack up (informal),
pay homage to,
idolize,
big up (slang),
apotheosize,
set on a pedestal
in the sense of fête
Definition
to honour and entertain (someone) publicly
The composer was fêted at a special dinner.
Synonyms
entertain,
welcome,
honour,
make much of,
wine and dine,
hold a reception for (someone),
lionize,
bring out the red carpet for (someone),
kill the fatted calf for (someone),
treat
in the sense of glorify
Definition
to praise
the banning of songs glorifying war
Synonyms
praise,
celebrate,
magnify,
laud (literary),
extol,
crack up (informal),
big up (slang),
eulogize,
cry up (informal),
lionize,
panegyrize,
sing or sound the praises of,
idolize
in the sense of honour
Definition
to give (someone) special praise, attention, or an award
Two pioneering surgeons were honoured with the Nobel Prize.