Dictionary
idealize
verb ide·al·ize \ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz\
: to think of or represent (someone or something) as being perfect
ide·al·izedide·al·iz·ing
Full Definition of IDEALIZE
intransitive verb
1
: to form ideals
2
: to work idealistically
transitive verb
1
a : to give an ideal form or value to b : to attribute ideal characteristics to <tended to idealize her teachers>
2
: to treat idealistically <portraitists who idealize their subjects>
— ide·al·i·za·tion \-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
— ide·al·iz·er \-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlī-zər\ noun
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First Known Use of IDEALIZE
1786
Related to IDEALIZE
- Synonyms
- glamorize (also glamourize), glamour (up), glorify, romanticize
- Antonyms
- deglamorize
Medical Dictionary
idealize
transitive verb ide·al·ize
ide·al·ized or chiefly British ide·al·isedide·al·iz·ing or chiefly British ide·al·is·ing
Medical Definition of IDEALIZE
: 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>
—ide·al·iza·tion or chiefly British ide·al·isa·tion \ī-ˌdē-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
Variants of IDEALIZE
ide·al·ize or chiefly British ide·al·ise \ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌlīz\
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