romanticize

American  

[roh-man-tuh-sahyz] / roʊˈmæn təˌsaɪz /

especially British, romanticise

verb (used with object)

romanticized, romanticizing

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

   Many people romanticize the role of an editor.

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verb (used without object)

romanticized, romanticizing

1. to hold romantic notions, ideas, etc.

romanticize British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• overromanticize verb
• romanticization noun
• unromanticized adjective

Etymology

Origin of romanticize

First recorded in 1810–20; romantic + -ize

Example Sentences

Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

Licolli, the poultry organizer, said she has “never romanticized the immigrant community and the immigrant movement.”

From Salon

I also love the hot chocolate, and the tuna melt is a special, more romanticized version of the classic.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are not romanticizing poverty. We want to change the prejudice that exists in people's minds."

From Barron's

The pitch for the theme park was to show the Golden State as a romanticized destination, celebrating our people, our nature, our food and our glamour through a lighthearted, optimistic lens.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• glamorize
• idealize
• sentimentalize