as in to idealize
to represent or think of as better than reality would warrant
he romanticized what life in a small town would be like, only to be later disappointed when reality intruded
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Recent Examples of romanticize
People often romanticize the idea of passive income.
—
Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Sierra’s global community network, The Local Mystic, helps women deepen their spiritual studies, romanticize their lives, and build a community of like-minded souls.
—Sierra Vandervort, Outside Online, 10 May 2025
The report also argues that the Lost Cause mythology — or the idea that romanticizes slavey and claims the Civil War was a fight to preserve Southern culture — has been central to Trump and his supporters.
—Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
This post contains details about the fifth and final season of You
Despite his efforts not to romanticize his You character Joe Goldberg, Penn Badgley gave the controversial character a steamy send-off.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Sierra’s global community network, The Local Mystic, helps women deepen their spiritual studies, romanticize their lives, and build a community of like-minded souls.
—Sierra Vandervort, Outside Online, 10 May 2025
The report also argues that the Lost Cause mythology — or the idea that romanticizes slavey and claims the Civil War was a fight to preserve Southern culture — has been central to Trump and his supporters.
—Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
This post contains details about the fifth and final season of You
Despite his efforts not to romanticize his You character Joe Goldberg, Penn Badgley gave the controversial character a steamy send-off.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticize
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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In the early 20th century, cigarette smoking was glamorized in Hollywood, normalized by doctors and deeply embedded in American life.—
John Samuels,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Yet, alcohol is often seen as a rite of passage into adulthood in shows and movies, which glamorize alcohol.—
Markus Lindblad,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Romanticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticize. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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