idealize
verb
ide·al·ize
ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz 
idealized; idealizing
1
a
: to attribute ideal characteristics to
tended to idealize her teachers
b
: to give an ideal form or value to
2
: to treat idealistically
portraitists who idealize their subjects
Examples of idealize in a Sentence
She tends to idealize her job.
he had a tendency to idealize his heroes and believe they could do no wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
And these heroes, slightly idealized but by no means infallible versions of the ones who exist in real hospitals, keep showing up, shift after endless shift, to keep pushing that rock up the hill.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Social-media platforms allow people to see more readily than in the past how others—or idealized versions of others—live.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
For more than a decade, cutting down on meat and other animal products has been idealized as a healthier, more ethical way to eat.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
But a subsequent police investigation into his internet history revealed that Prosper was fascinated with mass murder events like Sandy Hook and the Virginia Tech shooting — killings that are idealized on some incel forums.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealize
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Judy Berman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Social-media platforms allow people to see more readily than in the past how others—or idealized versions of others—live.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
For more than a decade, cutting down on meat and other animal products has been idealized as a healthier, more ethical way to eat.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
But a subsequent police investigation into his internet history revealed that Prosper was fascinated with mass murder events like Sandy Hook and the Virginia Tech shooting — killings that are idealized on some incel forums.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealize
Cite this Entry
“Idealize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idealize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
idealize
verb
ide·al·ize
ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz
idealized; idealizing
: to think of or represent persons or things as one believes they should be rather than as they are
idealization
noun
-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən
Medical Definition
idealize
transitive verb
ide·al·ize
variants
or chiefly British idealise
idealized or chiefly British idealised; idealizing or chiefly British idealising
: to give ideal form or value to : attribute ideal characteristics of excellence to
constantly shifting moods and a tendency to idealize or devalue other people—Harvard Mental Health Letter
Harvard Mental Health LetterLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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