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
Nail enthusiasts are familiar with the high that comes with romanticizing those fun designs and mixing and matching bright colors for the upcoming season, so why not indulge in those good feels now?
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Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
Durling gave credit to the filmmakers for the revolutionary act of not romanticizing her relationship with co-star Tom Cruise.
—Vincent Perella, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025
In fact, he's had to hop on social media a few times in recent years to remind viewers that not romanticizing Joe is the whole point.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
The hero of a bildungsroman often begins as an outcast of some kind, a condition that is romanticized even as it must be overcome.
—Anahid Nersessian, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
Durling gave credit to the filmmakers for the revolutionary act of not romanticizing her relationship with co-star Tom Cruise.
—Vincent Perella, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025
In fact, he's had to hop on social media a few times in recent years to remind viewers that not romanticizing Joe is the whole point.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
The hero of a bildungsroman often begins as an outcast of some kind, a condition that is romanticized even as it must be overcome.
—Anahid Nersessian, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for romanticize
Cite this Entry
“Romanticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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