pedestalized
Placed on high
Pedestalized describes someone or something that has been elevated to an exalted or idealized status, as if placed on a literal pedestal for admiration.
The word often carries a critical edge, suggesting the elevation is undeserved or distorting: She realized she had pedestalized her mentor and ignored his flaws.
To pedestalize someone is to treat them as beyond criticism, which can set up disappointment when they prove human.
Made into a god
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
- veneratedRegarded with profound respect
- canonizedDeclared officially holy
- beatifiedOfficially declared blessed
enshrined · hallowed · sacred · divine · godlike · saintly · angelic · worshipped
Publicly honored or celebrated
- extolledPraised with enthusiasm
- acclaimedPublicly and enthusiastically praised
- celebratedWidely known and praised
- honoredGiven recognition or respect
applauded · commended · glorified · exalted · tribute · homage · accolades · ovation
Made more appealing than reality
- glorifiedPraised beyond merit
- mythologizedMade into legend
- perfectWithout any flaw
- flawlessEntirely without fault
unblemished · untouchable · unattainable · fantasy · illusion · unrealistic · rose-colored · whitewashed
Revere to excess
- hero-worshipUncritical excessive admiration
- lionizeTreat as famous
- adulatePraise to excess
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
revere · esteem · respect · cherish · value · appreciate · commend · look up to
deified
Made into a god
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
- veneratedRegarded with profound respect
- canonizedDeclared officially holy
beatified · enshrined · hallowed · sacred · divine · godlike · saintly · angelic · worshipped · exalted
lauded
Publicly honored or celebrated
- extolledPraised with enthusiasm
- acclaimedPublicly and enthusiastically praised
- celebratedWidely known and praised
honored · applauded · commended · glorified · exalted · tribute · homage · accolades · ovation · recognition
romanticized
Made more appealing than reality
- glorifiedPraised beyond merit
- mythologizedMade into legend
- perfectWithout any flaw
flawless · unblemished · untouchable · unattainable · fantasy · illusion · unrealistic · rose-colored · whitewashed · sanitized
idolize
Revere to excess
- hero-worshipUncritical excessive admiration
- lionizeTreat as famous
- adulatePraise to excess
worship · revere · esteem · respect · cherish · value · appreciate · commend · look up to · infatuation
plinth
Architectural support block
raised · elevated · uplifted · mounted · displayed · showcased · statue · monument · sculpture · figurine
- reveredworshipped, venerated, revered, adored, idolized
- Idealized thingsperfection, utopia, flawless, pristine, sublime
pedestalizeddenigrated
Criticized unfairly, damaged reputation
degraded · debased · vilified · disparaged · belittled
stand, standing, understand, outstanding, withstand, misunderstand, pedestal, understands, grandstand