Another way to say idolize is worship, and both words have a religious origin. In the case of idolize, the root word is idol, or "image of a god used in worship," from the Late Latin word idolum, "image or form."

What is the meaning of word idolize?

transitive verb. : to worship as a god broadly : to love or admire to excess the common people whom he so idolized — The Times Literary Supplement (London) intransitive verb. : to practice idolatry.

Why do we idolize?

1. We admire, idolize and worship people, because we consider them as important, powerful or famous, and because a great number of people know about them. These people appear on the media, which allows us to peek into their lives. ... There is a tendency to worship anything that seems glamorous, fascinating or powerful.