heroize
Make a legend
To heroize is to treat someone as a hero or elevate them to heroic status: The film heroizes a flawed historical figure.
The word often carries a critical edge, suggesting the elevation is unearned or simplistic: We shouldn't heroize athletes just because they win.
Also spelled heroicize.
Treat as famous
- venerateHonor with deep respect
- revereDeeply respect and admire
- exaltPraise with great intensity
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
celebrate · honor · praise · admire · commend · laud · applaud · elevate
Unverified traditional tale
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
Hercules · Achilles · Odysseus · pantheon · fable · quest · Homeric · Iliad
Pictorial screen symbol
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- starLuminous astronomical object
- figureheadNominal leader, no authority
- paragonFlawless model to emulate
exemplar · luminary · inspiration · posterchild · heartthrob · influencer · trailblazer · pioneer
lionize
Treat as famous
acclaim · celebrate · honor · praise · admire · commend · laud · applaud · elevate · esteem
legend
Unverified traditional tale
folklore · Hercules · Achilles · Odysseus · pantheon · fable · quest · Homeric · Iliad · Beowulf
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- starLuminous astronomical object
- figureheadNominal leader, no authority
paragon · exemplar · luminary · inspiration · posterchild · heartthrob · influencer · trailblazer · pioneer · trendsetter
bravery
Boldness before danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
fearlessness · daring · intrepidity · boldness · prowess · grit · mettle · chivalry · audacity · dauntlessness
heroizevilify
Attack someone's reputation
demonize · villainize · denigrate · disparage · condemn
heroizevillainize
Portray as wicked
demonize · scapegoat · stigmatize · otherize
heroizehumanize
Make more relatable
demythologize · deglorify · debunk · deconstruct · expose
- heroic taleStory of great deeds
- heroic questsCourageous journeys seeking greatness
- heroic battlesFights requiring great bravery
- heroic deedsCourageous acts of valor
- heroic epicsLong poems about legendary champions
- heroic sacrificeDying to save others
heroic, heroism, heroine, heroics, heroized, antiheroic, heroizing, heroization