canonize

/ˌkænəˈnaɪz/

Other forms: canonized; canonizing; canonizes

When you canonize a person, you put him on a pedestal — in other words, you think he's so wonderful that he can do no wrong.

You might canonize your grandmother after she dies, choosing to remember her as a saint who never raised her voice and was kind to everyone. When the Roman Catholic Church canonizes someone, it has a slightly different meaning. The Church canonizes people who have performed miracles and are declared — literally — to be saints. The literal meaning is "place in the canon of saints," and it comes from the Latin canon, "church rule."

Definitions of canonize

1. verb

   declare (a dead person) to be a saint
   “After he was shown to have performed a miracle, the priest was canonized”

   synonyms: canonise, saint

   type of:

   adjudge, declare, hold

   declare to be
2. verb

   treat as a sacred person
   “He canonizes women”

   synonyms: canonise

   type of:

   exalt, extol, glorify, laud, proclaim

   praise, glorify, or honor