idolize
Put on pedestal
To idolize someone is to admire them excessively, often to the point of worship.
The word suggests devotion beyond what the object deserves: She idolized her older sister, Fans idolize celebrities they've never met.
The tone is often critical—idolizing implies blindness to faults or an unhealthy elevation of another person.
Regard with approval
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- respectRegard with honor
- revereDeeply respect and admire
- appreciateRecognize value or merit
honor · value · regard · look up to · awe · wonder · inspiration · veneration
Religious reverence and praise
- deifyWorship as sacred
- venerateHonor with deep respect
- sanctifyMake officially holy
- glorifyPraise to excess
exalt · canonize · beatify · apotheosis · god-like · divine · sacred · holy
To voice high esteem
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
- extolPraise with enthusiasm
- commendExpress approval of
- celebrateHonor through festivity
eulogize · applaud · honor · pay tribute · lionize · magnify · hail · cheer
Admirer or air mover
- stanObsessive celebrity follower
- fangirlObsessive female enthusiast
- fanboyObsessive male enthusiast
- groupieObsessive celebrity follower
superfan · star · icon · hero · role model · influencer · superstar · heartthrob
Focus obsessively on
- obsessDwell on compulsively
- infatuateInspire foolish passion
- fanaticalExtremely and uncritically devoted
- zealousPassionately eager and active
manic · overzealous · blind devotion · unhealthy attachment · stalker · delusional · fantasize · shrine
Set apart formally
- commitBind to a course
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
faithfulness · steadfastness · zeal · ardor · fervor · attachment · reverence · piety
admire
Regard with approval
appreciate · honor · value · regard · look up to · awe · wonder · inspiration · veneration · high regard
worship
Religious reverence and praise
glorify · exalt · canonize · beatify · apotheosis · god-like · divine · sacred · holy · shrine
laud
To voice high esteem
celebrate · eulogize · applaud · honor · pay tribute · lionize · magnify · hail · cheer · toast
fan
Admirer or air mover
groupie · superfan · star · icon · hero · role model · influencer · superstar · heartthrob · fame
fixate
Focus obsessively on
- obsessDwell on compulsively
- infatuateInspire foolish passion
- fanaticalExtremely and uncritically devoted
zealous · manic · overzealous · blind devotion · unhealthy attachment · stalker · delusional · fantasize · shrine · memorabilia
dedicate
Set apart formally
- commitBind to a course
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
fidelity · faithfulness · steadfastness · zeal · ardor · fervor · attachment · reverence · piety · earnestness