romanticize

especially British, ro·man·ti·cise

[roh-man-tuh-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

romanticized, romanticizing 

1. to make romantic; invest with a romantic character.

   Many people romanticize the role of an editor.

verb (used without object)

romanticized, romanticizing 

1. to hold romantic notions, ideas, etc.

romanticize

/ rəʊˈmæntɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to think or act in a romantic way

2. (tr) to interpret according to romantic precepts

3. to make or become romantic, as in style

Other Word Forms

• romanticization noun
• overromanticize verb
• unromanticized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of romanticize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; romantic + -ize

Example Sentences

It’s a haunting reminder that we don’t just watch heists — we romanticize them.

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I was hooked by the magisterial piano and sax solos of the epic “Jungleland,” set in a romanticized New York City—instantly my first favorite Bruce song.

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Society romanticizes the perfect heist — the charm, the precision, the elegance — until it happens in real life.

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It’s a shocking moment and a clear sign that “Urchin” has no intention of romanticizing Mike or actively eliciting our sympathies.

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But the vision of a woman enduring misery to “protect” her baby is romanticized by the right — even if the suffering would, in this case, only risk the health of the baby.

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Related Words

• glamorize 
• idealize 
• sentimentalize