canonize
verb
can·on·ize
ˈka-nə-ˌnīz 
canonized
ˈka-nə-ˌnīzd
; canonizing
in "Hamlet" usually
kə-ˈnä-ˌnīzd
; canonizing
1
: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
2
: to make canonical
3
: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
4
: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to
5
: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred
his mother had canonized all his timidities as common sense—
Scott Fitzgerald
Scott FitzgeraldExamples of canonize in a Sentence
She died 100 years ago and was canonized in Rome last year.
a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2018, Pope Paul was canonized a saint of the Catholic Church.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
Soon after, Becket was canonized a saint.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
While the civil rights leader has been glorified and canonized over the decades, DeShazier said King was a tough man who fought for his beliefs.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
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Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
Soon after, Becket was canonized a saint.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
While the civil rights leader has been glorified and canonized over the decades, DeShazier said King was a tough man who fought for his beliefs.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canonize
verb
can·on·ize
ˈkan-ə-ˌnīz
canonized; canonizing
1
: to declare to be a saint and worthy of public respect
2
: to treat something as if it were sacred
canonization
noun
ˌkan-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən
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