as in to romanticize
to represent or think of as better than reality would warrant
he had a tendency to idealize his heroes and believe they could do no wrong
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Recent Examples of idealize
However, Neptune idealizes, which can ultimately blur boundaries, while Mercury prefers to be analytical, seeking out the facts and hard data.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Les, whose supposedly normal family Lindy idealized, was nursing the failure of a GMO tomato project.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
The definition of ultra-processing reflects a philosophy that idealizes traditional culinary practices and treats modern food processing methods as suspect, regardless of their health effects.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
These observations come the day after Meghan posted idealized, influencer-style images of her children celebrating Easter by running around their lush Montecito garden, hunting for Easter eggs.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idealize
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Les, whose supposedly normal family Lindy idealized, was nursing the failure of a GMO tomato project.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
The definition of ultra-processing reflects a philosophy that idealizes traditional culinary practices and treats modern food processing methods as suspect, regardless of their health effects.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
These observations come the day after Meghan posted idealized, influencer-style images of her children celebrating Easter by running around their lush Montecito garden, hunting for Easter eggs.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idealize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealize
Verb
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Learn a trade anyway There is a version of nostalgia that is merely self-serving—the successful person who made it in an earlier era romanticizing the conditions that made their success possible.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
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That said, his matter-of-factness may well help to ground a show that tends to over-romanticize.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Still, Fonseca idolized Kuerten so much that the teen once tried a one-handed backhand.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
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Many of us grew up idolizing astronauts as the best of the best that America — and other nations — have to offer.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Even in the wake of the body positivity movement from the past few years, researchers are concerned about a cultural swing back to glamorizing thin-ness, pointing to the popularity – and possible misuse – of GLP-1s.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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The visual culture produced by Anduril to glamorize its unmanned rockets, submarines, and accompanying control software leverages a lot of Aeropittura’s potential.—
Simon Denny,
Artforum,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Grey walls are softened with light-wood chevron floors, and the interiors play with colors and textures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
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The Premier League and EFL are still sorting through the details of future parachute payments, which are intended to soften the financial blow of being relegated.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idealize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealize. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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