Romanticize: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when talking about making something seem more attractive or appealing than it really is, often ignoring the negative aspects.

• She tends to romanticize life in the countryside, forgetting how hard the work can be
• Movies often romanticize the idea of love and relationships

Choose this word when referring to portraying something as perfect or much better than it is, often ignoring any flaws or downsides. It is usually used in contexts of thoughts and feelings rather than actual descriptions.

• As a child, she used to idealize her parents, thinking they could do no wrong
• Many people idealize the past, forgetting the challenges they faced

Use this word when you are referring to making something seem much better or more admirable than it actually is, often suggesting a lack of fairness or objectivity, and sometimes having a negative connotation.

• Some films glorify war, ignoring its horrific realities
• Advertisements often glorify products to boost sales

This word is suitable when you mean that someone is making something seem more significant, serious, or intense than it actually is. This can often have a negative implication, suggesting a lack of honesty or accuracy.

• He tends to exaggerate his skills on his resume
• The news report exaggerated the dangers of the storm

Use when describing something in an idealized or perfect way, often ignoring realistic and practical aspects. Common in storytelling or personal recollections.

• She tends to romanticize her childhood, forgetting the tough times.
• Movies often romanticize the idea of love at first sight.

This word is often used when making something seem more exciting or attractive than it actually is, particularly in contexts like media or marketing. It can carry a negative connotation if it makes something harmful seem appealing.

• Advertisements often glamorize smoking, despite its health risks.
• The film tends to glamorize the criminal lifestyle, which is problematic.

Appropriate when making something look more attractive or aesthetically pleasing, usually with physical changes or improvements.

• They decided to beautify their garden with new flowers and a small fountain.
• The city plans to beautify the park by adding new benches and plantings.

Used when describing something in a way that emphasizes its beauty or emotional impact, often in a literary or artistic context.

• He tends to poeticize everyday moments in his writing.
• The author poeticized the mundane details of life in her novel.