idealize

verb

ide·​al·​ize ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz How to pronounce idealize (audio)
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

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 The rapper doesn't allow the show to idealize his alter ego. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2024 Dakota idealizes who he was based on that material left behind. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Jan. 2024 For those on the subcontinent, an American education has long been idealized, seen as a sure path to prosperity. Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2024 To idealize is finally to objectify, and sometimes admiration can feel cold. Mary Gaitskill, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 The show routinely mocks efforts, even reverent ones, to idealize Native American life and history. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2023 Recent survey data of the American public highlights the intensification of key elements associated with Christian nationalism—a political theology that idealizes and advocates for a fusion of a particular expression of Christianity with American civic life. TIME, 5 Jan. 2024 Like fashion models, model citizens, and model children, they’re also idealized versions of reality. Dan Rockmore, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 Artists who cut their teeth on digital platforms often idealize the careers of their childhood idols, who didn’t have to stress about the exhausting churn of TikTok trends. WIRED, 19 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idealize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of idealize was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near idealize

Cite this Entry

“Idealize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idealize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

idealize

verb
ide·​al·​ize ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz How to pronounce idealize (audio)
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 noun

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 peopleHarvard Mental Health Letter
idealization noun
or chiefly British idealisation

More from Merriam-Webster on idealize

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