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
Every generation romanticizes the struggles of its youth.
—
Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 May 2026
These images do not romanticize the West as much as document how difficult, life-sucking and under-appreciated this job can be.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 May 2026
These images do not romanticize the West as much as document how difficult, life-sucking and under-appreciated this job can be.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticize
Verb
-
Waddingham was equally passionate about ensuring Debbie and Judith’s friendship felt authentic rather than idealized.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
Her reflections don’t present motherhood as effortless or idealized.—
Sugey Palomares,
Parents,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The film neither glamorizes nor indicts Solanas, who Taylor humanizes without softening or sentimentalizing her.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 June 2026
-
Where Bonnie and Clyde glamorizes its couple and their crimes, Loden renders Wanda passive and desultory in the lawless turn her life has taken.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romanticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticize. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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