idealize

verb

ide·​al·​ize ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz 

idealized; idealizing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to form ideals

2

: to work idealistically

idealization

ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

idealizer

ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• glamorize
• glamourize
• glamour (up)
• glorify
• romanticize

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

Brands clinging to idealized images risk alienating their customers. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

This idealized notion of fragile Southern womanhood was used to justify the Jim Crow system of segregation for decades. —Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024

This bias helps build emotional bonds in the early stages of a relationship by idealizing your partner and fostering a deeper connection. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024

Outpost Inn is, like the very best of summer camps or idealized summer country homes, within a jumping-off point to stellar swimming, fishing, and hiking. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids 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

-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

idealizer

-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

idealize

transitive verb

ide·​al·​ize

variants or chiefly British idealise

ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz 

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

idealization noun

or chiefly British idealisation

ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən