idolise
Put on pedestal
To idolise someone is to admire them excessively, treating them as an ideal or object of devotion.
Children idolise sports stars; fans idolise celebrities.
The word carries a hint of uncritical worship—seeing no flaws in the person admired: She idolised her older sister.
The spelling idolize is standard in American English.
Treat as famous
- exaltPraise with great intensity
- revereDeeply respect and admire
- elevateTo raise upward
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
extol · laud · celebrate · immortalize · idealize · pedestalize · put on a pedestal · aggrandize
Worship as sacred
- venerateHonor with deep respect
- sanctifyMake officially holy
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- deityWorshipped supernatural being
divine · godlike · apotheosis · cult · shrine · altar · sacred · prayer
Value with deep affection
- admireRegard with approval
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- doteLove to excess
- fondnessWarm liking or affection
affection · devotion · infatuation · crush · attachment · fascination · smitten · enamored
Person others emulate
- heroOne admired for courage
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- look up toAdmire and respect deeply
aspire · imitate · follow · mentor · influence · trailblazer · exemplar · paragon
lionize
Treat as famous
acclaim · extol · laud · celebrate · immortalize · idealize · pedestalize · put on a pedestal · aggrandize · mythologize
deify
Worship as sacred
deity · divine · godlike · apotheosis · cult · shrine · altar · sacred · prayer · ritual
cherish
Value with deep affection
fondness · affection · devotion · infatuation · crush · attachment · fascination · smitten · enamored · besotted
role model
Person others emulate
- heroOne admired for courage
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
look up to · aspire · imitate · follow · mentor · influence · trailblazer · exemplar · paragon · luminary
fanbase
Collective devoted audience
groupies · fanpages · fan clubs · bias · stanning · K-pop · fancams · lightsticks · merchandise · meetups