apotheosize
Elevate to divinity
To apotheosize is to elevate someone or something to divine status—to make a god of them.
The word extends to any extreme glorification or idealization: Critics accused the documentary of apotheosizing a deeply flawed leader.
The noun form is apotheosis.
Religious reverence and praise
hero-worship · veneration · devotion · homage · praise · adulation · fandom · pedestal
Sacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- godhoodStatus as a deity
- venerateHonor with deep respect
- sanctifyMake officially holy
- canonizeFormally declare sainthood
beatify · transcendence · celestial · hallowed · reverence · supernal · anointed · enthroned
Praise with great intensity
- glorifyPraise to excess
- ennobleConfer dignity upon
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- raiseLift or increase
heighten · aggrandize · dignify · magnify · laud · acclaim · extol · hail
Make everlasting
- enshrinePreserve as sacred
- commemorateHonor the memory of
- memorializeHonor through lasting tribute
- monumentalizeHonor with lasting tribute
perpetuate · legendary · timeless · immortal · honor · eulogize · tribute · legacy
Praise to excess
- fawnYoung deer, or flatter
- blandishCoax through flattery
- sycophantServile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
grovel · kowtow · brown-nose · obsequious · servile · ingratiate · praise · compliment
worship
Religious reverence and praise
lionize · hero-worship · veneration · devotion · homage · praise · adulation · fandom · pedestal · admiration
divinity
Sacred nature or nougat-like sweet
canonize · beatify · transcendence · celestial · hallowed · reverence · supernal · anointed · enthroned · deification
exalt
Praise with great intensity
raise · heighten · aggrandize · dignify · magnify · laud · acclaim · extol · hail · tout
eternalize
Make everlasting
- enshrinePreserve as sacred
- commemorateHonor the memory of
- memorializeHonor through lasting tribute
monumentalize · perpetuate · legendary · timeless · immortal · honor · eulogize · tribute · legacy · posterity
adulate
Praise to excess
toady · grovel · kowtow · brown-nose · obsequious · servile · ingratiate · praise · compliment · effusive