Adulated ones (5)
I believe the answer is:
idols
'adulated ones' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for idols that I've seen before include "Objects of worship" , "Graven images sometimes worshipped" , "Heroes" , "Much-admired persons" , "Effigies worshipped as gods" .)