paragonate

Paragonate is a rarely used English verb meaning to present someone or something as a paragon; to elevate to the status of an exemplary model; or to compare favorably to a paragon. It is a transitive, rhetorical term often found in literary or argumentative writing.

Etymology and attestation: the word is formed from the noun paragon, which denotes an ideal or perfect example, with the productive suffix -ate to indicate an action. The exact historical usage of paragonate is obscure, and it is generally regarded as a neologism or nonce word rather than a standard entry in major dictionaries.

Usage and nuance: paragonate conveys deliberate idealization or exaltation, sometimes with an implicit comparison to an ideal standard. In practice, it may be used to describe the act of portraying a person or quality as flawless, or of elevating someone to the status of a paragon within a discourse. Because it is uncommon, writers may prefer phrasing such as “portray as a paragon,” “elevate to paragon status,” or “idealize.”

Examples and alternatives: For instance, a biographer might paragonate a subject by emphasizing exemplary ethics and achievements, though more typical language would be “portray as a paragon” or “idolize as a paragon.” Related terms include paragon, exemplar, model, and standard of excellence.

See also: paragon; exemplar; model; standard of excellence.