Idolize = Negative or Positive

[Ashraful Haque]

According to Cambridge dictionary the word means to admire and respect someone very much, often too much.

I've never heard anyone use the word in a positive sentence. I think admire is the word people use when they want to mean that they respect and approve of someone.
I've always heard 'idolize' in negative sentences. For example 'stop idolizing celebrities and politicians.'

I'd like to know if this word can be used in positive sentences as well.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, it can. My four-year-old son idolises me.

It's much stronger than 'admire'.

 

[BobK]

Yes. It's not marked +ve or -ve. But the context will make it clear either way. If the user disapproves of something!one being worshipped as an idol then its implication becomes -ve.

 

[Tarheel]

I doubt that I would say I idolize anybody, but the word "idolize" can certainly be used in a positive sense.