Idealizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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idealizing

[aɪˈdiːəˌlaɪzɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in relationships

To regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality, to elevate to a high intellectual or moral standard.

Synonyms

exalt, glorify, idolize, romanticize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
idealizing	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.
idolize	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.
glorify	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.
romanticize	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.
exalt	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.

Examples of usage

She was idealizing her partner, overlooking his flaws.
He was idealizing the concept of love, expecting it to be flawless.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in art

To represent something in a perfect or ideal form, often with unrealistic or exaggerated features.

Synonyms

beautify, elevate, ennoble, glamorize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
idealizing	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
glamorize	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
beautify	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
ennoble	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
elevate	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

Examples of usage

The painting idealized the countryside, showing it as a picturesque paradise.
The sculpture idealized the human form, emphasizing beauty and symmetry.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'idealizing'

The word 'idealizing' comes from the verb 'idealize,' which originated from the French word 'idéaliser' in the 18th century. It is derived from the Late Latin 'ideal' meaning 'existing as an idea' or 'in idea.' The concept of idealizing has been present in various cultures throughout history, often associated with the pursuit of perfection or the elevation of ideals.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,291 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31288 humanize
31289 tabby
31290 waddled
31291 idealizing
31292 swindled
31293 testily
31294 enforcer
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