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
Goodness knows, with the help of costume designer Nanette Acosta, and whoever did her hair and makeup, Anderson transforms into something of a brainy, idealized 1940s Hollywood or Broadway ingenue.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Ideas From Other Sectors Finding inspiration is always difficult, especially because, in my opinion, the most common mistake is falling in love with your own ideas, idealizing them.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (1932) $9 As a response to the dreary despair of the Industrial Revolution and reflective works by the likes of Charles Dickens, British literature of the early 20th century idealized pastoral, rural life.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Americans idealized a vision of hardworking, respectable men who formed the backbone of the nation, and the agency’s founder, Allan Pinkerton, worked to turn those associations to his advantage.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealize
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Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Ideas From Other Sectors Finding inspiration is always difficult, especially because, in my opinion, the most common mistake is falling in love with your own ideas, idealizing them.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (1932) $9 As a response to the dreary despair of the Industrial Revolution and reflective works by the likes of Charles Dickens, British literature of the early 20th century idealized pastoral, rural life.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Americans idealized a vision of hardworking, respectable men who formed the backbone of the nation, and the agency’s founder, Allan Pinkerton, worked to turn those associations to his advantage.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 15 June 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 Jul. 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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