as in idealizes
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 romanticizes
Millennials, in particular, have been tagged as a generation that romanticizes the pivot—that equates reinvention with a full reset.
—
Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Every generation romanticizes the struggles of its youth.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Chinamaxxing romanticizes things that feel structurally out of reach at home — compact, affordable-looking apartments; public transit that works; streets safe to walk at night; multigenerational households as an antidote to loneliness; communal meals as an antidote to atomization.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Libra Neptune in Libra romanticizes love, beauty and partnership.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
While the rest of the world romanticizes drifting in Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has had its fill of smoky skids.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 4 Mar. 2026
The convivial atmosphere of the coffee shop can be attributed to Le, who romanticizes his time as a barista.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Stamos quickly romanticizes the soldier’s isolation—his freedom from social expectations—and begins to dream of defecting.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
As Bella and Edward become closer, our young heroine not only romanticizes the vampire's ethereal good looks, but also the dominance and constant surveillance of his courtship.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Every generation romanticizes the struggles of its youth.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Chinamaxxing romanticizes things that feel structurally out of reach at home — compact, affordable-looking apartments; public transit that works; streets safe to walk at night; multigenerational households as an antidote to loneliness; communal meals as an antidote to atomization.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Libra Neptune in Libra romanticizes love, beauty and partnership.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
While the rest of the world romanticizes drifting in Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has had its fill of smoky skids.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 4 Mar. 2026
The convivial atmosphere of the coffee shop can be attributed to Le, who romanticizes his time as a barista.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Stamos quickly romanticizes the soldier’s isolation—his freedom from social expectations—and begins to dream of defecting.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
As Bella and Edward become closer, our young heroine not only romanticizes the vampire's ethereal good looks, but also the dominance and constant surveillance of his courtship.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticizes
Verb
-
However, Neptune idealizes, which can ultimately blur boundaries, while Mercury prefers to be analytical, seeking out the facts and hard data.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The definition of ultra-processing reflects a philosophy that idealizes traditional culinary practices and treats modern food processing methods as suspect, regardless of their health effects.—
David S. Ludwig,
STAT,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The notebook glamorizes love as possession.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bruno idolizes his father and wants to become an illustrator like him.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
-
With her crude French and slightly out-of-place mannerisms, Patricia is the young, beautiful American expatriate drawn to this wannabe gangster who idolizes Humphrey Bogart and yet seems so quintessentially French.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Romanticizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticizes. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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