idealize

ide·al·ize

verb \ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz\

ide·al·izedide·al·iz·ing

Definition of IDEALIZE

intransitive verb

1

: to form ideals

2

: to work idealistically

transitive verb

1

a : to give an ideal form or value to b : to attribute ideal characteristics to <tended to idealize her teachers>

2

: to treat idealistically <portraitists who idealize their subjects>

— ide·al·i·za·tion \-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

— ide·al·iz·er \-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər\ noun

Examples of IDEALIZE

1. She tends to idealize her job.
2. <he had a tendency to idealize his heroes and believe they could do no wrong>

First Known Use of IDEALIZE

1786

Related to IDEALIZE

Synonyms: glamorize (also glamourize), glamour (up), glorify, romanticize

Antonyms: deglamorize

Related Words: heroicize, heroize; euphemize, poeticize, soften, sweeten; adulate, canonize, deify, idolize; aggrandize, dignify, ennoble, enshrine, enthrone, magnify

Near Antonyms: belittle, decry, denigrate, deprecate, disparage, minimize, put down

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