as in romanticized
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in idolized
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of idealized
Sharon Mizota, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Bomi, 23, who entered seeking his first boyfriend, found his idealized notions challenged.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
It is often simplified into rivalry or idealized closeness.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
American Express travel data show bookings to Japan among Gen Z and millennials have surged 1,300% since 2019, turning the country into an idealized escape where trains are on time, streets are spotless, and strangers are unfailingly polite.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
People tend to embrace the idealized versions of themselves, their homes, or their lives as the bounds of their potential, not as its median.
—Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
The course begins not with abstract problems or idealized systems, but with sports that people already care about.
—Amy Pope, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
In an era defined by uncertainty and constant disruption, viewers are increasingly drawn to content that feels both uplifting and grounded — stories that reflect real-world challenges without resorting to unnecessary violence and idealized conclusions.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
But if the response to the brand’s menswear showing during Milan Fashion Week were any indication, an idealized and untarnished version of the American dream lives on abroad.
—Zachary Weiss, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Set in a perpetually sunny, idealized England vaguely between the wars, The Code of the Woosters concerns the misadventures of man-about-town Bertie Wooster (stupid, amiable, rich) and his impeccably helpful valet Jeeves.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Post-Aristotle, infinity was always idealized, never realized — a philosophical construct at best.
—Big Think, 25 Nov. 2025
For most home cooks, a once-a-year turkey is a gastronomic absurdity, needlessly idealized, inevitably formidable to prepare.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Pop culture can even play a powerful role in shaping the nation’s perception of higher education–Hollywood still leaning heavily on images of pristine lawns, students in caps and gowns, and idealized lecture halls.
—Yolanda Watson Spiva, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
This clearly suggests that idealized online self-presentation can inflate social impressions but may create disappointment when offline reality does not match expectations.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
These values were generally shared by his employers at Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, organisations idealized as the polar opposite of Emperor Palpatine's authoritarian dictatorship from a galaxy far, far away.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
His precious moments are not memories of an idealized past, nor projections of a tantalizing dream, but interventions in our complex present that reveal beautiful and unsettling layers.
—Sharon Mizota, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Bomi, 23, who entered seeking his first boyfriend, found his idealized notions challenged.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
It is often simplified into rivalry or idealized closeness.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
American Express travel data show bookings to Japan among Gen Z and millennials have surged 1,300% since 2019, turning the country into an idealized escape where trains are on time, streets are spotless, and strangers are unfailingly polite.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
People tend to embrace the idealized versions of themselves, their homes, or their lives as the bounds of their potential, not as its median.
—Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
The course begins not with abstract problems or idealized systems, but with sports that people already care about.
—Amy Pope, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
In an era defined by uncertainty and constant disruption, viewers are increasingly drawn to content that feels both uplifting and grounded — stories that reflect real-world challenges without resorting to unnecessary violence and idealized conclusions.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
But if the response to the brand’s menswear showing during Milan Fashion Week were any indication, an idealized and untarnished version of the American dream lives on abroad.
—Zachary Weiss, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
The characters are mostly idealized, the action is predictable, and its core conflicts derivative of those in the minds of most American teenagers in the middle of the 20th century.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Set in a perpetually sunny, idealized England vaguely between the wars, The Code of the Woosters concerns the misadventures of man-about-town Bertie Wooster (stupid, amiable, rich) and his impeccably helpful valet Jeeves.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Post-Aristotle, infinity was always idealized, never realized — a philosophical construct at best.
—Big Think, 25 Nov. 2025
For most home cooks, a once-a-year turkey is a gastronomic absurdity, needlessly idealized, inevitably formidable to prepare.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Pop culture can even play a powerful role in shaping the nation’s perception of higher education–Hollywood still leaning heavily on images of pristine lawns, students in caps and gowns, and idealized lecture halls.
—Yolanda Watson Spiva, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
This clearly suggests that idealized online self-presentation can inflate social impressions but may create disappointment when offline reality does not match expectations.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
These values were generally shared by his employers at Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, organisations idealized as the polar opposite of Emperor Palpatine's authoritarian dictatorship from a galaxy far, far away.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealized
Adjective
-
In a new retelling of the Robin Hood legend, the Wolverine alum turns the romanticized folklore character on his head with an all-new older character and appearance.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The fourth cycle, Scotland, is wonderfully atmospheric, filled with suspense and romanticized landscapes.—
Ernesto Lechner,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Rafaela, who began his professional career as a middle infielder in the Red Sox minor leagues, idolized him.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Olympians – athletes at the top of their sport and in prime health – are idolized and often viewed as superhuman.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, a largely symbolic move as the country hasn’t executed anyone in decades.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The symbolic unity pose was to declare the formal launch of the New Delhi Frontier AI Commitments, a set of voluntary principles adopted by leading AI companies at the summit to advance inclusive, responsible development of frontier AI models.—
Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Often, fires are depicted in an overly dramatic or glamorized way, but each home represents a person’s life.—
TIME Photo Department,
Time,
23 Dec. 2025
-
My journey will be publicized and glamorized, but my evolution process is sacred to me.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Red, purple and maroon monitors would indicate more serious health risks.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Dogwoods provide additional interest throughout the year with red fall fruits and striking burgundy red to purple autumn foliage.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This season, this often stark finish was softened with a hint of warmth.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Airlines have trimmed schedules as demand has softened.—
Rajesh Kumar Singh,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idealized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealized. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
