idealize

especially British, i·de·al·ise

[ahy-dee-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

idealized, idealizing 

1. to make ideal; represent in an ideal form or character; exalt to an ideal perfection or excellence.

verb (used without object)

idealized, idealizing 

1. to represent something in an ideal form.

idealize

/ aɪˈdɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to consider or represent (something) as ideal

2. (tr) to portray as ideal; glorify

3. (intr) to form an ideal or ideals

Other Word Forms

• idealizer noun
• overidealize verb
• unidealized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of idealize¹

First recorded in 1780–90; ideal + -ize

Example Sentences

Like Vecna, “Stranger Things” is a different beast than other shows gazing backwards through rose-tinted lenses because Hawkins is an idealized version of Reagan’s fabled “Morning in America” era.

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This idealized view is also far more sympathetic than modern perceptions of other medieval events, including the Crusades, which are now linked with coercion and brutality.

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"Historically, catalyst engineers relied on more indirect measurements at idealized conditions to understand molecules on surfaces. Instead, this new measurement method provides a tangible description of surface bonding at catalytically-relevant conditions."

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Meanwhile, Housel suggests an exercise in which you write your own idealized obituary, and then figure out how to live up to it.

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Meanwhile, Housel suggests an exercise in which you write your own idealized obituary, and then figure out how to live up to it.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• glorify