romanticize

verb

ro·​man·​ti·​cize rō-ˈman-tə-ˌsīz 

rə-

romanticized; romanticizing

transitive verb

: to make romantic : treat as idealized or heroic

romanticize the past

intransitive verb

1

: to hold romantic ideas

2

: to present details, incidents, or people in a romantic way

romanticization

rō-ˌman-tə-sə-ˈzā-shən 

rə-

noun

Synonyms

• glamorize
• glamourize
• glamour (up)
• glorify
• idealize

Examples of romanticize in a Sentence

He has romanticized notions of army life.

a romanticized view of politics

We were romanticizing about the past.

Recent Examples on the Web

Back at the farm, Bee can’t help but feel attracted to Knox, Bee’s ex, and romanticize the pleasures of rural life. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024

And, whereas the Republicans romanticize a bygone world, the R.N. is keen to present itself as a forward-looking concern. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

From news coverage glorifying doorbuster deals to holiday movies romanticizing the act of gift-giving, media narratives often reinforce the idea that consumption equals joy. —Dr. Mara Einstein, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024

The reputation of the Tonkawa shifted again in the early 20th century when some writers romanticized life on the frontier. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

romanticize

verb

ro·​man·​ti·​cize rō-ˈmant-ə-ˌsīz 

romanticized; romanticizing

1

: to make romantic : show in a romantic way

2

: to have romantic ideas

romanticization

-ˌmant-ə-sə-ˈzā-shən 

noun