idealize

verb

ide·​al·​ize ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz 

idealized; idealizing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to form ideals

2

: to work idealistically

idealization

ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

idealizer

ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of idealize

• romanticize
• idolize
• glamorize
• soften
• glamour (up)

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

Adrià describes a world filtered through adolescence, where people, places and situations can appear idealized, magical or unsettling. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Instead of idealizing the perfect breakthrough, climate technology must focus on ensuring its incredible solutions are also adoptable. — Stéphane Germain, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Women are increasingly disappointed with heterosexual relations, even as they’re captivated by romance, which so often idealizes it. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026

While some look at this aesthetic as idealizing a time where women had fewer rights and independence, many trad wives do not think their roles are degrading. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for idealize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids 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

-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

idealizer

-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

idealize

transitive verb

ide·​al·​ize

variants or chiefly British idealise

ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz 

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

idealization noun

or chiefly British idealisation

ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən