canonize

verb

ˈka-nə-ˌnīz How to pronounce canonize (audio)
Definition of canonizenext
1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to those movie buffs who have canonized Alfred Hitchcock as filmdom's preeminent director

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 canonize This is the Tricky sound canonized. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 After her death she was canonized by the Catholic Church and recognized as the patron saint of immigrants. — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Early reports of the relationship between the Marists and the parish canonize it as a perfect match. — Hannah Brueske, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 Four years ago, the Church canonized him as a saint. — Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for canonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonize
  1. adore
  2. elevate
  3. worship
  4. promote
  5. like
  6. enshrine
Verb
  • Jet Fans of the New York Jets will adore this slick moniker for a tiny tyke.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Market on Close The analyst corps that covers Nvidia is mostly adoring.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • Sovereign debt loads are already elevated across much of the world, and refinancing maturing debt at higher rates will progressively increase interest costs and strain public finances.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Hot Docs, the world-class documentary film festival in Toronto, has announced some major personnel moves – elevating Diana Sanchez to president and bringing in Mara Gourd-Mercado to succeed Sanchez as executive director.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of elevate
Verb
  • Shankara advises that worshipping gods with names and stories through devotional rituals and sacred images (murtis) is an acceptable step for some people on the path toward a more philosophical understanding of an all-pervasive ultimate reality.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • She was promoted to worship leader, a job typically held by an older member of the church.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of worship
Verb
  • When applied to the scalp, certain peptides can send signals that promote follicle function, extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, and strengthen the tissue surrounding the follicle.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has also promoted the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and navy, and the reduction in missile and drone capabilities, as measures of success.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Vance went on to speak highly of Thune, who is widely liked by his fellow Republican lawmakers in the Senate.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That Ballmer’s fellow owners like and respect him, though, did not keep them from wanting the Clippers to be punished, and severely, if the accusations proved true.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of like
Verb
  • In a gesture of peace, al Sharaa enshrined key rights for Kurds via presidential decree, such as protection of the Kurdish language and recognition of Kurdish holidays.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Promises from interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to enshrine Kurdish language and political rights offer new hope, even as rising prices and subsidy cuts fuel protests and deep skepticism.
    — Hogir al Abdo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of enshrine

Browse Nearby Words

canonical
canonize
canonized
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Cite this Entry

“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonize. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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