glamorize

verb

glam·​or·​ize ˈgla-mə-ˌrīz 

variants or less commonly glamourize

glamorized; glamorizing

transitive verb

1

: to look upon or depict as glamorous : romanticize

the novel glamorizes war

2

: to make glamorous

glamorize the living room

glamorization

ˌgla-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

glamorizer

ˈgla-mə-ˌrī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• glamour (up)
• glorify
• idealize
• romanticize

Examples of glamorize in a Sentence

The movie was criticized for glamorizing crime and violence.

a novel that glamorizes war

Recent Examples on the Web

Her pitch was simple: Homosexuality is a sin, and if homosexuals were given carte blanche to glamorize their ‘deviate lifestyle’ in Miami-area classrooms, the American family would be destroyed and the American way of life would disappear. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025

Media coverage often emphasizes their charm or intelligence, which can inadvertently glamorize their heinous acts. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

But the film doesn’t glamorize Callas, and instead portrays her as sad and withdrawn. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024

Entertainment & Arts ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ glamorized a toxic workplace. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

glamour + -ize

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

glamorize

verb

glam·​or·​ize

variants also glamourize

ˈglam-ə-rīz 

glamorized; glamorizing

1

: to make glamorous

2

: to present so as to seem glamorous