as in idolizes
to represent or think of as better than reality would warrant
he had a tendency to idealize his heroes and believe they could do no wrong
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Recent Examples of idealizes
However, Neptune idealizes, which can ultimately blur boundaries, while Mercury prefers to be analytical, seeking out the facts and hard data.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
The definition of ultra-processing reflects a philosophy that idealizes traditional culinary practices and treats modern food processing methods as suspect, regardless of their health effects.
—
David S. Ludwig,
STAT,
9 Apr. 2026
Gen Z, in particular, has moved away from the hustle-and-grind culture of the 2000s and early 2010s and instead idealizes wellness, leisure and affluence without overt labor.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
The definition of ultra-processing reflects a philosophy that idealizes traditional culinary practices and treats modern food processing methods as suspect, regardless of their health effects.
—
David S. Ludwig,
STAT,
9 Apr. 2026
Gen Z, in particular, has moved away from the hustle-and-grind culture of the 2000s and early 2010s and instead idealizes wellness, leisure and affluence without overt labor.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealizes
Verb
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There’s friction between the defense lawyer Sam (Nick Nolte) and his wife, Leigh (Jessica Lange), rooted in Sam’s past infidelity and his current flirtations with a young courthouse clerk who idolizes him.
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Bruno idolizes his father and wants to become an illustrator like him.
Verb
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But like its predecessor, Yellowstone, the series also romanticizes the industry, pairing authentic ranching challenges with larger-than-life drama.
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Millennials, in particular, have been tagged as a generation that romanticizes the pivot—that equates reinvention with a full reset.
Verb
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The film neither glamorizes nor indicts Solanas, who Taylor humanizes without softening or sentimentalizing her.
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Where Bonnie and Clyde glamorizes its couple and their crimes, Loden renders Wanda passive and desultory in the lawless turn her life has taken.
Verb
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Autumn softens the vistas along the Ring of Kerry and brings a quieter pace to the historic villages.
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In a heartbreaking moment, Paula asks why Trevor chose her, and Ashley softens a bit.
Cite this Entry
“Idealizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealizes. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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