hero worship

¹ American  

noun

1. a profound reverence for great people or their memory.

2. extravagant or excessive admiration for a personal hero.

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hero-worship ² American  

[heer-oh-wur-ship] / ˈhɪər oʊˌwɜr ʃɪp /

verb (used with object)

hero-worshiped, hero-worshiping, hero-worshipped, hero-worshipping

1. to feel or express hero worship for.

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hero worship British  

noun

1. admiration for heroes or idealized persons

2. worship by the ancient Greeks and Romans of heroes

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verb

1. (tr) to feel admiration or adulation for

Other Word Forms

• hero-worshiper noun
• hero-worshipper noun

Etymology

Origin of hero worship¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Origin of hero-worship²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Instead, “Him” wonders what kind of spiritual practice it is: hero worship or a sinister cult?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025

The Emergency was also a stark warning against the perils of hero worship - something embodied in the towering political persona of Indira Gandhi.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025

So yeah, we need to get rid of that sort of hero worship.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2023

Not everyone fell for the von Braun hero worship, however, including several prominent Jewish comedians.

From Slate • Aug. 1, 2023

Lamont gazed up at Nigel with hero worship in his eyes.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck