Romanticized: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing something in a way that makes it seem more appealing or perfect than it actually is, often in a nostalgic or sentimental manner.

• Historical novels often romanticized the past
• The artist romanticized the countryside in his paintings

Used when portraying something or someone as perfect or better than in reality, often ignoring flaws or complexities.

• Young lovers often idealize their partners
• The media tends to idealize celebrities

Used when making something or someone seem more special, exciting, or important, often with an implication that it is undeserved.

• The movie glorified gangsters and their lifestyle
• This book tends to glorify the actions of the main character

Used when making something seem larger, more important, or more significant than it actually is, often not based on fact.

• He tends to exaggerate his achievements
• The dangers of the journey were exaggerated in the report

Idealize something, often by presenting it in a more attractive or perfect way than it really is, commonly used in literature, movies, or storytelling.

• 'The novel romanticized the life of the explorers, ignoring their hardships
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Make something look more beautiful, often by decorating or improving its appearance. Used in contexts related to physical appearance or environment.

• 'They decided to beautify the park by planting more flowers
• '

Add decorative details or fictitious elements to something, often to make a story or situation seem more interesting or exciting. Can have a somewhat negative connotation if it implies adding untrue details.

• 'He likes to embellish his tales to make them more entertaining
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Add an element of love or adventure to a story, often in an unrealistic or overly dramatic manner. Commonly used in writing or speech to evoke strong and idealistic emotions.

• 'The director decided to romance the plot to attract more viewers
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