deify
verb
de·i·fy ˈdē-ə-ˌfī 
ˈdā-
ˈdā- deified; deifying
transitive verb
1
a
: to make a god of
b
: to take as an object of worship
2
: to glorify as of supreme worth
Synonyms
- adore
- adulate
- canonize
- dote (on)
- hero-worship
- idolize
- worship
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The people deified the emperor. materialistic people who deify money
Recent Examples on the Web Anyone with the will to correct this problem should not further deify those at the top, but strengthen and respect the less flamboyant levels of the system. 
Douglas Board, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2021 For those of us who deify Penélope Cruz, the new film is a case of déjà vu. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2021 Gandhi was suspicious of his followers’ attempts to deify him. Ian Beacock, The New Republic, 6 Dec. 2021 From the Greek word apotheoun, meaning to make a god or to deify, apotheosis implies a polytheistic conception of gods while recognizing that some individuals straddle the boundary between gods and men. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021 The hall was erected with the intent to venerate and deify, and the selections into it reflected the hubris of its creators. Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2020 This suggestion will enrage Americans who deify their constitution. Joe Mathews, Fortune, 4 July 2020 Which is harder in a way than just dying in the mountains and being deified. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2020 In the fifteen years since his death, Bogle has been deified by the dancehall scene. 1843, 16 Jan. 2020 See More
Douglas Board, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2021 For those of us who deify Penélope Cruz, the new film is a case of déjà vu. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2021 Gandhi was suspicious of his followers’ attempts to deify him. Ian Beacock, The New Republic, 6 Dec. 2021 From the Greek word apotheoun, meaning to make a god or to deify, apotheosis implies a polytheistic conception of gods while recognizing that some individuals straddle the boundary between gods and men. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021 The hall was erected with the intent to venerate and deify, and the selections into it reflected the hubris of its creators. Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2020 This suggestion will enrage Americans who deify their constitution. Joe Mathews, Fortune, 4 July 2020 Which is harder in a way than just dying in the mountains and being deified. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2020 In the fifteen years since his death, Bogle has been deified by the dancehall scene. 1843, 16 Jan. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French deifier, from Late Latin deificare, from Latin deus god + -ficare -fy
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
deify
verb
1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much materialistic people who deify money Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- adore
- worship
- idolize
- canonize
- like
- adulate
- revere
- hero-worship
- venerate
- regard
- dote (on)
- prefer
- appreciate
- respect
- cherish
- value
- esteem
- favor
- prize
- treasure
- endorse
- hallow
- approve
- fancy
- indorse
- support
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hate
- despise
- detest
- abhor
- loathe
- dislike
- disdain
- disparage
- abominate
- belittle
- deprecate
- put down
- misprize
2
as in to venerate
to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power some ancient pagans deified such objects of nature as trees and rivers Synonyms & Similar Words
- venerate
- worship
- revere
- reverence
- honor
- glorify
- lionize
- admire
- praise
- adore
- respect
- exalt
- canonize
- love
- dignify
- apotheosize
- regard
- laud
- extol
- please
- magnify
- gratify
- extoll
- satisfy
- delight
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- desecrate
- violate
- blaspheme
- insult
- ridicule
- offend
- dishonor
- scorn
- profane
- outrage
- disparage
- slight
- displease
- disrespect
- defame
- affront
- libel
- slander
- smear
- pique
- malign
- slur
3
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to the sense of entitlement felt by athletes who have been deified all their lives Synonyms & Similar Words
- elevate
- exalt
- enthrone
- canonize
- promote
- ennoble
- glorify
- aggrandize
- enshrine
- dignify
- magnify
- lift
- honor
- praise
- upgrade
- idealize
- uplift
- ensky
- raise
- romanticize
- boost
- heighten
- intensify
- laud
- extol
- sanitize
- sugarcoat
- acclaim
- extoll
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humiliate
- humble
- degrade
- disparage
- minimize
- demean
- belittle
- decry
- abase
- detract
- depreciate