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
But there is a difference between telling the full story and romanticizing those who would do Americans harm.
—
Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
To be sure, educational systems need to be reformed, not romanticized.
—Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
To Neuvel and other critics, such portrayals romanticize euthanasia for mental illness, creating a risk of social contagion.
—Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, the crisp New England environs of Bangor, Maine provide a stunning backdrop for the proceedings — charming, but not romanticized in an overly syrupy way.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
To be sure, educational systems need to be reformed, not romanticized.
—Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
To Neuvel and other critics, such portrayals romanticize euthanasia for mental illness, creating a risk of social contagion.
—Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, the crisp New England environs of Bangor, Maine provide a stunning backdrop for the proceedings — charming, but not romanticized in an overly syrupy way.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticize
Verb
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Practices often idealized for their organic nature can still have environmental impacts if they are not properly implemented.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
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California Adventure, at its most idealized, stood for more than an assortment of film properties.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The notebook glamorizes love as possession.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Novels like Rachel Yoder’s Nightbitch depict the surreal and alienating days of early parenthood with an eye to de-glamorizing the post-partum experience.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romanticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticize. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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