deification

[dee-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of deifying.

2. the state of being deified.

3. the result of deifying.

   Their gods were deifications of their ancient kings.

Other Word Forms

• hyperdeification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deification¹

1350–1400; Middle English deificacion < Late Latin deificātiōn- (stem of deificātiō ), equivalent to deificāt ( us ) (past participle of deificāre; deific ( us ) deific + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The deification of our jazz dead is stunning to behold that way.

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Or they knew her story through the lens of her deification.

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The cultlike deification of Mr. Obama as some kind of White House celebrity broke the political press in Washington.

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She said that some in the university community embrace an “unhealthy deification” of Mr. Jefferson, adding, “That can be coded language for a lot of things.”

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And its rigid hierarchy and customs do not mesh well with the deification of liberty and individualism that permeate U.S. culture.

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Related Words

• attention 
• celebration 
• confidence 
• credit 
• dignity 
• distinction 
• esteem 
• faith 
• fame 
• glory 
• praise 
• prestige 
• recognition 
• reputation 
• tribute 
• trust