The phrase "cult of personality" refers to the excessive adoration, praise, and worship of a public figure, typically a political leader. Some synonyms for this phrase include idolatry, hero worship, cult following, and personality cult.
Idolatry refers to the practice of worshipping idols or excessive admiration of a person or thing. Hero worship implies the excessive admiration of someone deemed heroic or exceptional. Cult following refers to a group of dedicated followers who are highly devoted to a particular person, work, or product. Personality cult denotes the worship of an individual's personality or image and is often associated with authoritarian regimes.
These synonyms all have a similar meaning to the cult of personality and demonstrate how public figures can develop a devoted following. It is important to be critical of these practices and recognize when they are becoming excessive or concerning.