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
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
This clearly suggests that idealized online self-presentation can inflate social impressions but may create disappointment when offline reality does not match expectations.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite millennials’ push for greater diversity on the runway and more inclusive sizing in denim collections, there’s a growing shift back toward campaigns that idealize ultra-thin bodies and pale skin.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Beginning around the mid-19th century, middle-class Americans began to idealize the velvety green grass of European manor houses, according to the Smithsonian Institution.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
The film doesn’t idealize the president as a man of unhesitating certainties.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealize
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite millennials’ push for greater diversity on the runway and more inclusive sizing in denim collections, there’s a growing shift back toward campaigns that idealize ultra-thin bodies and pale skin.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Beginning around the mid-19th century, middle-class Americans began to idealize the velvety green grass of European manor houses, according to the Smithsonian Institution.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
The film doesn’t idealize the president as a man of unhesitating certainties.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealize
Cite this Entry
“Idealize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idealize. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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
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