idealize

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

Also spelled idealising

US /aɪˈdiəˌlaɪz/ UK /aɪˈdɪəˌlaɪz/
verb

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to regard or represent as perfect or better than reality

    We tend to idealize the friends of our childhood.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to regard or represent as... glorifyromanticizeexaltperfectennobleworship
Opposites
disparagedemonizevilify
Word family
Derived forms idealizationidealizeridealized

Etymology

From ideal + -ize, ultimately from Ancient Greek idea ('form, pattern'), from idein ('to see').

View etymology graph ->

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.