A pedestal is the base or support that a statue, column, or other object stands on. It can also mean a position of great respect or admiration, as when someone is “put on a pedestal.”
“Pedestal” comes from French *piédestal*, from Italian *piedistallo*, literally “foot of a stall or column,” from *piede* (“foot”) and *stallo* (“stall, place”). It originally just meant the foot or base of a structure.
When you “put someone on a pedestal,” you’re doing to a person what architects do to statues—lifting them up on a special base. The word reminds you that admiration is partly about height and distance. From far below, it’s hard to see their flaws.
“Putting women on a pedestal” has described a pattern of idealizing women as pure or delicate while denying them real power and agency. This chivalric framing has been used to justify both protection and exclusion.
Be cautious with metaphors about putting any group “on a pedestal,” especially women; they can mask inequality under flattery. Discuss respect and equality directly instead.
["over-idealize","idolize","elevate unrealistically"]
Critiques of pedestalization by women writers and activists have highlighted how romanticized respect can coexist with structural inequality.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.