idealize
verb
ide·al·ize
ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz 
idealized; idealizing
1
a
: to attribute ideal characteristics to
tended to idealize her teachers
b
: to give an ideal form or value to
2
: to treat idealistically
portraitists who idealize their subjects
Synonyms
Examples of idealize in a Sentence
She tends to idealize her job.
he had a tendency to idealize his heroes and believe they could do no wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Trying to prioritize flexibility is not the same thing as idealizing one or another jurisdiction.
—
Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2024
Acknowledge your mixed feelings, but avoid idealizing the past.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2024
The study assessed women’s positive feelings about their bodies and found that both Chinese and white Western women idealize thin bodies significantly more than Black Nigerian women.
—Isabel Yip, NBC News, 31 July 2024
The unity and compromise campaign would be in the tradition of Henry Clay from Kentucky, who was idealized by fellow Kentuckian Abraham Lincoln.
—Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for idealize 
Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2024
Acknowledge your mixed feelings, but avoid idealizing the past.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2024
The study assessed women’s positive feelings about their bodies and found that both Chinese and white Western women idealize thin bodies significantly more than Black Nigerian women.
—Isabel Yip, NBC News, 31 July 2024
The unity and compromise campaign would be in the tradition of Henry Clay from Kentucky, who was idealized by fellow Kentuckian Abraham Lincoln.
—Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for idealize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idealize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near idealize
Cite this Entry
“Idealize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idealize. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
idealize
verb
ide·al·ize
ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz
idealized; idealizing
: to think of or represent persons or things as one believes they should be rather than as they are
idealization
noun
-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən
Medical Definition
idealize
transitive verb
ide·al·ize
variants
or chiefly British idealise
idealized or chiefly British idealised; idealizing or chiefly British idealising
: to give ideal form or value to : attribute ideal characteristics of excellence to
constantly shifting moods and a tendency to idealize or devalue other people—Harvard Mental Health Letter
Harvard Mental Health LetterLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share