romanticization

noun

Definition of romanticizationnext
as in idealization

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 romanticization It is characterized by a romanticization of traditional elite academia, references to classic literature, and a mysterious atmosphere. — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 The romanticization of the uncorrupted mother continent took over. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 More significant, the industrial interiors avoid romanticization. — Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025 But Saiz is worried that the romanticization of volunteering on social media has minimized the importance of such preparation. — Georgiana Ralphs, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025 There’s some wisdom in their depiction of how Kafka’s personal and creative struggles are vulnerable to romanticization by educators, curators and indeed by filmmakers, whether or not Holland counts herself in that bracket. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticization
  1. idealization
  2. glorification
  3. adoration
  4. reverence
  5. deference
Noun
  • Neptune, on the other hand, is the planet of dreams, illusions, spirituality, idealization, confusion and surrender.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
  • Whether that’s true or just an idealization is beside the point; such stories serve as an enormous source of pride and identity.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
Definition of idealization
Noun
  • Declinism, on the other hand, is an unrealistic glorification of the past coupled with the belief that things are steadily going downhill.
    — Markham Heid, Time, 8 July 2026
  • Right-wing incidents included conspiracy theories, glorification of the Nazi regime, and calls for a repeat of the Holocaust.
    — Toby Axelrod, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
Definition of glorification
Noun
  • Part of that adoration comes from a high level of public awareness about wildlife and conservation in Tasmania, home to many endemic species found nowhere else in the world.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Marylanders showed their adoration by naming Montgomery County for him.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of adoration
Noun
  • As a producer with a foot in both the classic-rock and modern pop/rap worlds, Watt possesses both a fanboy’s reverence for Stones history and a shrewd knowledge of the precision mechanics practiced in pro songwriters’ rooms.
    — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
  • The actor, whose political beliefs don’t cleanly map onto the modern divisions of the two-party system, has both a reverence for America as a set of ideals and an awareness of the faults within its history that creates interesting textual friction.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
Definition of reverence
Noun
  • That’s how the French defenders approached him, anyway—with deference.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • As mentioned, Rule 11 sanctions are measured by an abuse of discretion standard by which the trial court's ruling is accorded substantial deference.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of deference

Browse Nearby Words

romanticists
romanticization
romanticizations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Romanticization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticization. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All