Idealizing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when viewing something or someone as perfect or better than they actually are, often ignoring flaws.

• She was idealizing her childhood, forgetting all the challenges she faced.
• He tends to idealize his past relationships.

Used when someone deeply admires or worships someone, often to an excessive or unreasonable degree.

• Teenagers often idolize pop stars.
• He idolized his older brother, copying everything he did.

Means to praise or honor something or someone to a great degree, often in a way that magnifies their worth, sometimes with negative connotations if overdone or unjustified.

• They glorified the actor for his performance in the film.
• We should not glorify war, as it brings great suffering.

Involves portraying something as more attractive or appealing than it actually is, often by overlooking practical aspects or negative qualities.

• People tend to romanticize rural life without acknowledging the hardships.
• She romanticized her travel experiences, ignoring the problems she encountered.

Usually implies praising something or someone highly, often giving them a higher status or position, sometimes can be used in religious or formal contexts.

• The community exalted the firefighter for his bravery.
• The king was exalted by his followers.

Used when speaking about imagining something or someone as perfect or better than reality.

• She was idealizing her childhood, remembering only the good times
• His followers tend to idealize his achievements, overlooking his flaws

Usually used to describe making something appear more glamorous or appealing than it actually is, often in an unrealistic or misleading way. It often has a negative connotation.

• Movies often glamorize the life of outlaws, ignoring the harsh realities
• Critics argue that advertisements glamorize unhealthy lifestyles

Commonly used when referring to making something more attractive or pleasant to look at, often through physical changes.

• They decided to beautify their garden with new flowers and plants
• The city council launched a campaign to beautify the downtown area

Typically used to describe the act of giving someone or something a noble character or dignity, often in a moral or ethical sense.

• He felt that volunteering would ennoble his spirit
• The story of their struggles can ennoble anyone who reads it

Used when talking about raising something in status, importance, or level, often metaphorically.

• Her actions helped elevate the discussion to a more serious level
• The new policy aims to elevate the quality of education in the region