idealize

American  

[ahy-dee-uh-lahyz] / aɪˈdi əˌlaɪz /

especially British, idealise

verb (used with object)

idealized, idealizing

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

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verb (used without object)

idealized, idealizing

1. to represent something in an ideal form.

idealize British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• idealizer noun
• overidealize verb
• unidealized adjective

Etymology

Origin of idealize

First recorded in 1780–90; ideal + -ize

Example Sentences

“The shift that matters most is moving away from idealized retirement planning and toward realistic, behavioral planning.”

From MarketWatch

The naked torso of Christ is that of an antique god, an elegantly idealized, robust body.

From The Wall Street Journal

For their part, many voters always seem to be searching for some idealized candidate who exists only in their imagination.

From Los Angeles Times

We picture an idealized version of ourselves—disciplined, virtuous, rising at dawn—rather than the empirical version that hits the snooze button.

From The Wall Street Journal

David carefully composed an idealized corpse to make Marat resemble images of the dead Christ.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• glorify