idolizes
Worships from afar
Idolizes is the third-person singular of idolize, meaning to admire or love someone to an excessive degree.
The word carries the sense of worship—treating a person as an idol: She idolizes her older sister.
Often implies uncritical devotion that may blind someone to faults: He idolizes athletes who don't deserve it.
Regards with approval
- reveresEsteems profoundly
- veneratesRegards with profound respect
- esteemsRegards with respect
- respectsHolds in high regard
looks up to · adores · cherishes · treasures · appreciates · values · regards · honors
Makes into a deity
- sanctifiesMakes sacred or holy
- enshrinesPreserves reverently, formally
- canonizesDeclares someone a saint
- beatifiesOfficially declares blessed
hallows · immortalizes · prostrates · devotee · shrine · altar · icon · godlike
Excessive devotion to beliefs
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- blind devotionUnwavering allegiance ignoring flaws
- uncriticalLacking discerning judgment
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
mania · cultish · groupie · stan · superfan · diehard · radical · unquestioning
Copies as model
- lionizesTreats as famous
- fanboyObsessive male enthusiast
- fangirlObsessive female enthusiast
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
star · icon · role model · champion · legend · superstar · follows · imitates
Intoxicated by love or drink
- smittenPowerfully attracted to someone
- enthralledDeeply fascinated, held rapt
- captivatedWholly absorbed by something
- mesmerizedHeld in rapt attention
spellbound · bewitched · enamored · preoccupied · obsessed · fanatical · devoted · stalks
admires
Regards with approval
respects · looks up to · adores · cherishes · treasures · appreciates · values · regards · honors · prizes
deifies
Makes into a deity
- sanctifiesMakes sacred or holy
- enshrinesPreserves reverently, formally
- canonizesDeclares someone a saint
beatifies · hallows · immortalizes · prostrates · devotee · shrine · altar · icon · godlike · divine
zealotry
Excessive devotion to beliefs
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- blind devotionUnwavering allegiance ignoring flaws
- uncriticalLacking discerning judgment
fervor · mania · cultish · groupie · stan · superfan · diehard · radical · unquestioning · dogmatic
emulates
Copies as model
celebrity · star · icon · role model · champion · legend · superstar · follows · imitates · copies
besotted
Intoxicated by love or drink
- smittenPowerfully attracted to someone
- enthralledDeeply fascinated, held rapt
- captivatedWholly absorbed by something
mesmerized · spellbound · bewitched · enamored · preoccupied · obsessed · fanatical · devoted · stalks · fantasizes