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
Even when your companion has genuinely admirable qualities, idealizing them in an over-the-top way can speedily cause disappointment down the road.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2024
Schools run by Hamas, the PA, and the UN aid agency UNRWA have idealized terrorism and taught hatred to a generation of Palestinians, as have religious leaders in mosques throughout Gaza.
—Elliott Abrams, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2024
There is no reason to idealize today’s rural American workers any more than the shepherds and weavers of Warwickshire.
—Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
Olympic entries skewed toward the classic and idealized, even in Paris in 1924.
—John Branch, New York Times, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for idealize 
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2024
Schools run by Hamas, the PA, and the UN aid agency UNRWA have idealized terrorism and taught hatred to a generation of Palestinians, as have religious leaders in mosques throughout Gaza.
—Elliott Abrams, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2024
There is no reason to idealize today’s rural American workers any more than the shepherds and weavers of Warwickshire.
—Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
Olympic entries skewed toward the classic and idealized, even in Paris in 1924.
—John Branch, New York Times, 2 May 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 30 Jun. 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?
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