hero-worship 1 of 2

verb

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō-ˌwər-ship How to pronounce hero-worship (audio)
Definition of hero-worshipnext
1
as in to adore
to love or admire too much people who hero-worship celebrities are setting themselves up for disappointment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overpraise
to praise too much a golfing pro who is hero-worshipped by hordes of weekend duffers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hero worship

2 of 2

noun

as in worship
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person once the object of uncritical hero worship, the aging quarterback now faces the derision of his team's fickle fans

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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 hero-worship
Verb
When The Athletic visited Tashkent for the March international break, the hero-worship hadn’t yet ceased; Cannavaro was applauded both into and out of the press conference room by journalists, while some asked for selfies. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026 In an accompanying statement, Yungblud said that the record explores the theme of hero-worship. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025
Noun
This is the vibe that Edgar Wright is chasing with his version of The Running Man, which hews closely to the original text with a fidelity bordering on hero worship. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025 Bruins players receive their share of glory and hero worship. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hero-worship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero-worship
  1. adore
  2. overpraise
  3. worship
  4. like
  5. praise
  6. adoration
  7. idolize
  8. congratulate
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
  • The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.
    — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.
    — Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023
Definition of overpraise
Noun
  • Thus polytheistic worship of deities and monist philosophy are not opposed but rather different ways of reaching the divine.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Still, a moment for a little Dolly-worship seems somehow appropriate.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of worship
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
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Head coach Willie Simmons praised his team’s athleticism and talent through fall camp, while emphasizing the X’s and O’s with the season opener approaching.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Noun
  • Sabrina is no Dolly, which isn’t a knock but a comment on the impossibility of any new artist ever enjoying the level of admiration and adoration that Parton did for most of her life.
    — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • So Big Part of what made Dolly exceptional was her broad appeal and universal adoration.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of adoration
Verb
  • Messi, who is idolized in Argentina, has never played professionally in his home country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Reading the book feels refreshing — a clarifying antidote to a culture increasingly obsessed with idolizing and leveraging suffering.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of idolize
Verb
  • Melvin and Dreyer took turns congratulating and embracing Ikeda shortly after the news broke.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Djokovic sent a message congratulating Federer on his inevitable induction.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulate

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heroizing
hero-worship
hero worship
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Cite this Entry

“Hero-worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero-worship. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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