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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of romanticizing
British live-fire cook Genevieve Taylor didn’t start out romanticizing cooking over an open flame, with visions of industry cred or Michelin stars dancing in her head.
—
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
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
No more romanticizing what the core looks like in 148 minutes together.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
After the cowboys’ home had yellowed to memory, illustrators such as Frederic Remington set about romanticizing the Westerner, a process vigorously seized upon by the chieftains of Hollywood.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
The shadow is chasing dopamine instead of fulfillment or romanticizing something that does not have real substance.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
The trend has become the latest example of people online romanticizing a different time as a form of escapism.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
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
No more romanticizing what the core looks like in 148 minutes together.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
After the cowboys’ home had yellowed to memory, illustrators such as Frederic Remington set about romanticizing the Westerner, a process vigorously seized upon by the chieftains of Hollywood.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
The shadow is chasing dopamine instead of fulfillment or romanticizing something that does not have real substance.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
The trend has become the latest example of people online romanticizing a different time as a form of escapism.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticizing
Verb
-
By late month, career responsibilities intensify, requiring you to define a realistic path forward instead of idealizing outcomes.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Neptune can blur boundaries, so be mindful of overcommitting or idealizing people who have not shown consistency yet.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The song was seen as glamorizing Nazi ideology, antisemitism and Hitler.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romanticizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticizing. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
