idealize

verb ide·al·ize \ ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz \

Updated on: 20 Mar 2018

Definition of idealize

idealized; idealizing

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

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idealization

play \ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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idealizer

play \ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər\ noun

See idealize defined for English-language learners

See idealize defined for kids

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 of idealize from the Web

The article avoids idealizing the victim, who, like the others, had been using drugs before the murder.

— USA TODAY, "Arizona Republic, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lead 2017 USA TODAY Network journalism awards," 7 Mar. 2018
One explanation suggested by his work is that long-distance daters tend to idealize their relationships.

— dale markowitz, The Atlantic, "What It’s Like to Finally Meet After Dating Online for Months," 14 Feb. 2018
No team idealized Philadelphia’s view of itself as the Eagles did — the gritty, blue-collar, Rocky-esque underdog, good but not quite good enough.

— jerÉ longman, New York Times, "Suddenly, Philadelphia Has a Major Identity Crisis," 4 Feb. 2018
As the controversy heats up, some supporters try to idealize DACA recipients as model citizens, while some opponents try to demonize them.

— glenn garvin and alex daugherty, miamiherald, "They have been smeared, glorified, made political pawns. But who are the ‘Dreamers’ really?," 9 Feb. 2018
But dating a Filipino immersed me in a culture that idealized the opposite: a fair-skinned, half-white mestiza look.

— melissa pandika, The Cut, "Before I Embraced My Brownness, I Tried to Lighten My Skin," 31 Jan. 2018
Critics say the fashion industry’s use of ultrathin models idealizes unhealthy body weights and encourages eating disorders, particularly among teenage girls and young women.

— matthew dalton, WSJ, "LVMH and Kering Ban Ultrathin Models," 6 Sep. 2017
Every designer label stands for something—from Prada’s luxe leather to Ralph Lauren’s idealized Americana—and wearing those labels shows your allegiance to a certain camp.

— jim moore, GQ, "Our Favorite Fall 2017 Designer Collections (as Worn by Our Favorite Human Collections)," 30 Oct. 2017
Lucinda is less the focus of interest in the book than the people who idealized or envied her or now investigate her death.

— tom nolan, WSJ, "The Best New Mysteries," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idealize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of idealize

1786

idealize Synonyms

IDEALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

idealize

verb

Definition of idealize for English Language Learners

: to think of or represent (someone or something) as being perfect

Medical Dictionary

idealize

transitive verb ide·al·ize

variants: or chiefly British idealise play \ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz\

medical Definition of idealize

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

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idealization

or chiefly British idealisation play \ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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idealize

Definition of idealize

idealization

idealizer

Examples of idealize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of idealize from the Web

First Known Use of idealize

idealize Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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IDEALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

idealize

Definition of idealize for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

idealize

medical Definition of idealize

idealization

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