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
  • Instant fame and all its trappings are something most people would love to marinate in, to soak up what almost always is fleeting adoration.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Another work, a small double-sided panel portraying the Virgin Mary and Child with a Franciscan friar in adoration on one side and the dead Christ in Pietà on the other, was also stolen.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of adoration
Noun
  • In the aftermath of Panettiere’s death, Klitschko shared his reverence for his former fiancée, whom he was engaged to from 2013 to 2018.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Palmer himself paced the room on a phone call, doling out smiles of encouragement and inspiring a hushed reverence in his wake.
    — Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of reverence
Noun
  • For journalists, practicing deference and yielding authority are necessary steps when repairing relationships in communities that have experienced historical harm.
    — Danielle K. Brown, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The president, himself a billionaire, has described his inclination toward appointing the ultrawealthy as deference to financial success.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 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 southpaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All