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I'm curious to find a suitable word for any public figure or celebrity who has very few haters or criticizers compared to other such public figures or celebrities.

Let's talk about Ronaldo and Messi [maybe more] the most famous footballers on the globe who have definitely more fan-base [hence few haters] across the globe compared to most of the other footballers who haven't achieved such dignity so far.

In cricket, we can talk about Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, the way people admire them about their contributions for Team India, I think they have a few criticizers than any other players in the world of cricket.

Players like these mentioned above have earned respect because of their excellent performance in international cricket.

As you know the phrase "public figure" applies to not only players, but also politicians, business leaders, high-ranked army officers, journalists, and the like. So a politician earns respect by being democratic and honest; journalists by spending more time with public lovingly.

To understand more clearly on what word I am looking for, please have a look at following contexts:

  1. "Despite being a talented actress, Emma Stone has managed to avoid being a polarizing figure in Hollywood because she is ________. Unlike some of her peers, she doesn't seem to have a large contingent of haters or critics who constantly try to bring her down. Instead, she's widely respected and admired for her versatility and down-to-earth personality, making her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry."

  2. Sir David Attenborough is often regarded as _________, thanks to his gentle, nature-friendly documentaries and down-to-earth personality. He's one of the few public figures who's widely admired and respected, with no apparent enemies or critics.

In the context of the paragraph quoted above, saying Emma Stone is not polarizing means she doesn't have a strong divide of opinions about her; people generally like her or are neutral, rather than strongly for or against her. A polarizing figure is someone who tends to evoke strong emotions, either positive or negative, and is often surrounded by controversy or debate.

After going through various dictionaries, I have come up following words:

  1. Amiable±: having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner. [I don't think this will work because this word is generally used for common people as well, not only celebrities]
  2. I have got compound words as well, not sure which to use: (1) highly-respected (2) crowd-pleaser and (3) "universally loved".
  3. Beloved: Someone who is greatly loved and popular. [Is this word suitable for public figures, as in beloved Virat Kohli, beloved Ronaldo, etc.]
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  • The adj. "versatile" as used in the context. Commented 2 days ago
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    Maybe "national treasure" although I think that's more of a British than an American term, and denotes a particular kind of public affection. It might not be the same term for a young actor or sportsperson as for an older person like Tom Hanks or David Attenborough. Do you just mean that nobody hates them, or is there a stronger general public affection? (I don't think most people care either way about Messi.) Commented 2 days ago
  • @StuartF, I generally meant "comparatively few haters," not "zero haters," as in case of public figure (like Tom Hanks and David). Commented 2 days ago
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    A pity about compound terms. 'Much-loved' and 'universally loved' fit well, though 'beloved' is probably too familiar in register. Commented 2 days ago
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    "America's sweetheart" could fit for a specific type and character of widely loved individual, although that wouldn't work universally. Commented 16 hours ago

7 Answers 7

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Despite being a talented actress, Emma Stone has managed to avoid being a polarizing figure in Hollywood because she is uncontroversial.

No doubt about that.

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  • Yes; probably not used for 'the common man' (OP discounts some terms: 'this word is generally used for common people as well, not only celebrities'). Commented 2 days ago
  • @EdwinAshworth A public figure can be controversial or not. It can be used for common people as well. "The decision by the school director made him a controversial figure in the community." Commented 2 days ago
  • I was agreeing that 'uncontroversial' is a valid answer here ... it just wouldn't be applied to the man on the Clapham omnibus, because that would be redundant. Commented 2 days ago
  • @EdwinAshworth Do you know that lawyers I have interpreted (US ones) for are not familiar with that figure. Unbelievable really. Commented yesterday
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You could say she maintains a low-key profile or is low-key, and therefore has very few or no detractors.

Quiet and not attracting a lot of attention or excitement

Off-screen, she is low-key and friendly. ~ Cambridge Dictionary

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    @EdwinAshworth Oh! I overlooked that detail. Commented 2 days ago
  • @EdwinAshworth, I have removed that "constraint" by editing my question. Now people can suggest to me which one is best suited for the request I made above. Thanks! Commented 11 hours ago
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Despite being a talented actress, she has managed to avoid being a polarizing figure in Hollywood because she is magnetic.

Definition of "Magnetic": Possessing Charm

In a figurative sense, "magnetic" refers to having an alluring or captivating quality that draws people in.

USDictionary.com

Used in a sentence (online, FB):

[A]nd yes, she’s as magnetic as you think.

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    I'm afraid I don't quite understand but what does someone's being a magnetic personality have to do with their not being polarizing? Someone could exude a magnetic charm and yet attract a lot of detractors. Commented yesterday
  • @SuhailNazirKhan - It's not science. That's not what magnetic means in the figurative sense given. I could wear bacon as leg warmers and walk around unleashed collies, beagles, hounds, terriers, etc., but that still wouldn't make me magnetic in that sense. :-( The source was choosen for its unique clarification of that, the various senses. Commented yesterday
  • "Magnetic" just means that they're charismatic and charming when you interact with them, not that they're universally beloved. For example, this site and this site use "magnetic" to describe the serial killer Charles Manson. Commented 8 hours ago
  • @MichaelSeifert - If you believe Mason is/was magnetic, you go with that. You be you. Commented 4 hours ago
  • late edit: Manson, not *Mason. As in, 'Manson was so magnetic, I wanted to carve a cross into my forehead, but ow.' Commented 12 mins ago
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Ronaldo certainly has loads of detractors. More that most footballers I know. So I don't think your setup really applies to him.

However, athletes of the caliber of Ronaldo and Messi (and in fact both of them in particular) are often referred to as GOAT (or The GOAT), which is an acronym for "Greatest Of All Time". Pele has also been called that, as have luminaries from other sports such as Serena Williams, Wayne Gretzky (hockey), Tom Brady (American Football).

Also people engaging in other public endeavors, such as actors, musicians, and chess players. I assure you those chess players definitely have their detractors too.

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In the UK, such a person is often referred to as a national treasure.

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There is "anodyne", as in sense three at https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/anodyne :

Noncontentious, blandly agreeable, unlikely to cause offence or debate

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A "widely respected" figure in their community and also open carries an impressive sidearm.

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  • This is not an answer. As it stands, it isn't even an example sentence. It's a sentence fragment. I haven't downvoted it, but I can see why it was downvoted. That said, I think “widely-respected” as a nuanced variant of “highly-respected” (which OP mentioned) is fine. Commented 15 hours ago

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