romanticize

[roh-man-tuh-sahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR romanticize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ro·man·ti·cized, ro·man·ti·ciz·ing.

to make romantic; invest with a romantic character: Many people romanticize the role of an editor.

verb (used without object), ro·man·ti·cized, ro·man·ti·ciz·ing.

to hold romantic notions, ideas, etc.

Also especially British, ro·man·ti·cise.

Origin of romanticize

First recorded in 1810–20; romantic + -ize

Related formsro·man·ti·ci·za·tion, nouno·ver·ro·man·ti·cize, verb, o·ver·ro·man·ti·cized, o·ver·ro·man·ti·ciz·ing.un·ro·man·ti·cized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for romanticize

sentimentalize, idealize, glamorize

Examples from the Web for romanticize

Contemporary Examples of romanticize

But I am afraid people will romanticize what Robin went through.
Mara Wilson Remembers Robin Williams: We're All His Goddamn Kids
Mara Wilson
August 18, 2014
“I was trying to romanticize IDF and Israel,” Beyo told The Daily Beast.
A New Facebook Page Dedicated to the IDF Is Being Flooded With Sexy Selfies
Tim Mak
July 25, 2014

Historical Examples of romanticize

Ah, well, if we must romanticize something, it had best be the past.
The Crow's Nest
Clarence Day, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for romanticize

romanticize

romanticise

verb

(intr) to think or act in a romantic way

(tr) to interpret according to romantic precepts

to make or become romantic, as in style

Derived Formsromanticization or romanticisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for romanticize

1818, from romantic + -ize. Related: Romanticized; romanticizing.