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
- She tends to idealize her job.
- <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
ide·al·ize
transitive verb (Medical Dictionary)ide·al·izedor chiefly British ; ide·al·ised; ide·al·iz·ingor chiefly British ; ide·al·is·ing
Medical Definition of IDEALIZE
: 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>
—ide·al·iza·tion or chiefly British ide·al·isa·tion \ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ (audio pronunciation) noun
Variants of IDEALIZE
ide·al·ize or chiefly British ide·al·ise \ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz\ (audio pronunciation)
Learn More About IDEALIZE
Browse
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up idealize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


See 








