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Lionize: meaning, definitions and examples

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lionize

 

[ ˈlaɪənaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

public acclaim

To lionize someone means to treat them as a celebrity or to give them a lot of public attention and praise. This can involve celebrating their achievements or elevating their status in society, often to an excessive degree.

Synonyms

celebrate, esteemed, exalt, glorify, idolize

Examples of usage

  • The media tends to lionize athletes after they win major championships.
  • It's common for society to lionize figures who achieve great things, even if their methods are questionable.
  • After the film's release, the director was lionized by critics and audiences alike.
  • Many politicians are lionized during election campaigns, only to be criticized once they are in office.

Translations

Translations of the word "lionize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lionizar

🇮🇳 शेर बनाना

🇩🇪 lionisieren

🇮🇩 mengagungkan

🇺🇦 ліонізувати

🇵🇱 lionizować

🇯🇵 ライオナイズする

🇫🇷 lioniser

🇪🇸 lionizar

🇹🇷 aslanlaştırmak

🇰🇷 사자처럼 대우하다

🇸🇦 يُعظّم

🇨🇿 lionizovat

🇸🇰 lionizovať

🇨🇳 狮子化

🇸🇮 lionizirati

🇮🇸 ljónar

🇰🇿 арыстандыру

🇬🇪 ლომის სახე

🇦🇿 şir etmək

🇲🇽 lionizar

Word origin

The term 'lionize' originated in the early 19th century and is derived from the word 'lion', which has long been associated with strength, bravery, and admiration. The usage of the term reflects the idea of placing someone on a pedestal, akin to how one might idolize a lion, an animal revered in various cultures for its majesty and prowess. The word 'lion' itself comes from the Latin 'leo', which was borrowed from the Greek 'leōn'. Over time, 'lionize' entered the English lexicon, initially used in literary contexts, before making its way into popular use as society began to focus more on celebrity culture and the adulation of prominent figures in society. The act of lionizing someone can often lead to public scrutiny, as individuals who are celebrated may also face intense criticism when they falter.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,575, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.