Definition

Noun: 1. The act of worshiping blindly and to excess: Refers to the action of showing extreme, uncritical, and often irrational devotion or reverence towards a person, object, or idea. 2. The act of admiring strongly: Refers to the action of regarding someone or something with intense admiration, love, or respect, often to a very high degree.

Usage and Examples

• Example (Blind Worship):

  • The cult leader demanded complete idolization from his followers. (This shows the excessive and uncritical aspect of the devotion.)
  • The idolization of celebrities can sometimes prevent people from seeing their flaws. (This illustrates the blind admiration often involved.)

• Example (Strong Admiration):

  • Her idolization of the scientist led her to pursue a career in physics. (This shows intense admiration as a motivating force.)
  • The book explores the public's idolization of the late artist. (This refers to widespread and profound admiration.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Cultural/Religious Context: Historically, "idolization" can refer to the worship of physical idols, which is considered a sin in some Abrahamic religions. In modern secular use, it often describes treating a human like a god.
• Psychological Aspect: The term can imply an unhealthy or obsessive level of admiration that borders on deification, potentially overlooking the subject's humanity or imperfections.
• "Idolization of the Past": A common phrase referring to an uncritical, excessive admiration for a historical period, often ignoring its complexities and problems.
  • We must avoid the idolization of the past and learn from history's mistakes.

Variants and Related Words

• Idolize (verb): To admire, revere, or love greatly or excessively.
  • He idolizes his older brother.
• Idol (noun): An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship; a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
  • The pop star was a teenage idol.
• Idolatry (noun): The worship of idols; extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. This is a stronger, often more formal or religious synonym.
  • The prophet condemned the idolatry of wealth.

Synonyms

• Adoration: Profound love and respect. (May be less critical than idolization).
• Deification: The act of making someone or something into a god. (Stronger, more literal).
• Hero-worship: Excessive admiration for someone, treating them as a hero.
• Veneration: Great respect or awe. (Can be more formal and respectful, less likely to imply blindness).

Antonyms

• Criticism: The expression of disapproval based on perceived faults.
• Disdain: The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect.
• Scorn: Open dislike and disrespect or derision.

Common Phrases and Collocations

• Blind idolization: Emphasizes the uncritical nature of the admiration.
• Cult of idolization: Refers to a group characterized by such excessive devotion.
• Object of idolization: The person or thing that is idolized.

Noun

1. the act of worshiping blindly and to excess
2. the act of admiring strongly