Find Antonyms

canonize Antonyms

Opposite of canonize

Because the opposite of canonize shifts with each meaning, the antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To officially declare a deceased person to be a saint (especially in the Roman Catholic Church).

Usage Example

"The Pope agreed to excommunicate the missionary after two miracles were formally verified."

Strong
excommunicate

• verb (Context 2)

To treat or regard someone or something as sacred, above criticism, or of the highest possible status.

Usage Example

"Modern music critics often vilify the pioneering jazz musicians of the 1950s."

Strongest
vilify
demonize
Strong
denigrate
disparage

• verb (Context 3)

To admit a text, artistic work, or author into an established literary, scholarly, or scriptural canon.

Usage Example

"University curricula helped exclude several previously overlooked nineteenth-century novels."

Strong
exclude
reject

Similar words to canonize

Words similar to canonize shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

saint
venerate
revere
glorify
exalt
deify
idolize
beatify
See all synonyms of canonize

• Nearby Words

canon
canonical
canonically
canonize
canopy
cant
cantankerous

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Canonize. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/canonize
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