idolatrize

Idolatrize is a less common word for idolize—to treat someone with extreme admiration and devotion.

This sense of the word is based on the figurative use of the word idol to refer to a person, especially a famous celebrity such as a pop singer, whose fans are extremely devoted to them. The noun idolization refers to this kind of hero worship. A synonym of this sense of idolatrize is the slang verb stan.

The words idolatrize and idolize sometimes imply that such devotion is excessive, likening it to religious worship. This is based on the original sense of the word idol referring to an object or image, such as a statue, that is worshiped as the representation of a deity or god. The word idol can also refer to the deity or god that is being worshiped.

The worship of such an idol is sometimes called idolatry (or idol worship) and the people who do it can be called idolaters. The adjective idolatrous can be used to describe idolaters or their practices. The word idolatrize can also mean to practice idolatry, but it is not commonly used in this way either.

In a religious context, words like idol and idolatrize are typically used in a negative, judgmental way, implying that the god that the idol represents is not actually real and that such worship is wrong or sinful.

Sometimes, idol is used in a metaphorical way to compare something to an object of religious devotion and worship, and idolatrize can also be used in this context, as in She idolatrizes money. This sense of the word is also used in a critical way.

In all cases, it’s much more common to use the word idolize or simply worship.

Example: The trouble with idolatrizing people is that you start to model your behavior on them while ignoring their faults.

The first records of the word idolatrize come from the late 1500s. The word idol comes from the Greek eídōlon, meaning “image,” from eîdos, meaning “shape and form.” In idolatry, the ending -latry means “worship.” The suffix -ize means to “make,” “render,” or “convert into.”

Idolatrizing someone converts them into an idol—the subject of almost religious devotion. For this reason, it is likely that someone using idolatrize is using it in a negative way. Still, it is not commonly used.

What are some other forms related to idolatrize?

• idolatrizer (noun)
• idolatry (noun)
• idolater (noun)
• idolatrous (adjective)
• idol (noun)

What are some synonyms for idolatrize?

• idolize
• worship
• stan (when stan is used as a verb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with idolatrize? 

• idolism
• eidolon

What are some words that often get used in discussing idolatrize?

• hero
• teen
• celebrity
• singer
• star
• fan
• fandom

Idolatrize is not commonly used. Most people use the synonyms idolize and worship to mean the same thing.

Please stop idolatrizing creators.

I routinely get comments that put me on a pedestal, from someone who wants to "be friends." They're obsessed with stardom and think that being a fan is equivalent to being a friend.

— Zedrin (@Zedrinbot) November 13, 2020

ppl need to realize critique of b3y*nce does not mean people hate her or think she’s evil lol. we all respect B. i’m sure she appreciates being treated like a human worthy of conversation and critique than to be deified and idolatrized every waking second of her human life

— brooklyn (@broklon) June 28, 2020

remember when @starwars made a whole movie to please this kind of jerk that hate Rey because reddit said that if she was more like Luke and idolatrized him they would accept her and now they still hate Rey?
LucasFilms should known that haters gonna always hate. https://t.co/uT7wr4V3xS

— feminist of Naboo 🦋 (@amoreusous2) November 28, 2020

Is idolatrize used correctly in the following sentence?

“American teenagers idolatrized Elvis Presley as a rock-’n-roll icon in the 1950s.”