as in idealizing
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 romanticizing
From dopamine-spiking decor to more childlike, bright clothes, adults are romanticizing the smallest aspects of their lives and fully running with a lighthearted outlook.
—
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 17 June 2026
There couldn’t have been a better scene to step out into after watching a documentary romanticizing the magic of the city.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026
No one knows better than founder Max Büsser that timepieces are a sort of modern fantasy, a way of romanticizing the mechanical inventions of yesteryear.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
This month’s astro-weather asks you to stop romanticizing love stories or praise that doesn’t actually contribute to your sense of security.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
College football has a habit of romanticizing the past in ways that don’t match the actual results.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
Gucci Memoria, a collection of tapestries that tells the fashion brand’s 105-year-old history, is one example of how brands are romanticizing their archives.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
At the same time, researchers caution against romanticizing these differences.
—Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 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
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 17 June 2026
There couldn’t have been a better scene to step out into after watching a documentary romanticizing the magic of the city.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026
No one knows better than founder Max Büsser that timepieces are a sort of modern fantasy, a way of romanticizing the mechanical inventions of yesteryear.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
This month’s astro-weather asks you to stop romanticizing love stories or praise that doesn’t actually contribute to your sense of security.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
College football has a habit of romanticizing the past in ways that don’t match the actual results.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
Gucci Memoria, a collection of tapestries that tells the fashion brand’s 105-year-old history, is one example of how brands are romanticizing their archives.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
At the same time, researchers caution against romanticizing these differences.
—Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticizing
Verb
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The new fad of tradwife influencers idealizing a time before women had the right to vote is evidence enough.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Nothing wrong with idealizing and daydreaming, but to a certain extent.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even in the wake of the body positivity movement from the past few years, researchers are concerned about a cultural swing back to glamorizing thin-ness, pointing to the popularity – and possible misuse – of GLP-1s.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
1 May 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
“Romanticizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticizing. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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