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

The federal government removed Union troops from southern states as southerners erected monuments to former Confederates and slaveholders to romanticize their exploits during the Civil War. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 Mar. 2025

And in its day, the movie did well, but we were criticized for romanticizing the time. —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025

Nail enthusiasts are familiar with the high that comes with romanticizing those fun designs and mixing and matching bright colors for the upcoming season, so why not indulge in those good feels now? —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025

Durling gave credit to the filmmakers for the revolutionary act of not romanticizing her relationship with co-star Tom Cruise. —Vincent Perella, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for romanticize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

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