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as in idealized
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in glamorized
to represent or think of as better than reality would warrant
he romanticized what life in a small town would be like, only to be later disappointed when reality intruded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of romanticized
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
But the brief, costly, impractical service still became one of the most romanticized episodes in American history—a legacy wildly disproportionate to its lifespan.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
There’s often this romanticized view of earlier eras that ignores their darker sides.
—Ivy Pochoda, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
While its romanticized view of the past may not be for everyone, the series excels in demonstrating da Vinci's boundless creativity, channeled through Tom Riley's cheeky, charismatic performance that brings the artist into the 21st century.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Its pitch was to show the Golden State as a romanticized destination, one that in the post-Gold Rush era has often given America permission to dream.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
In a new retelling of the Robin Hood legend, the Wolverine alum turns the romanticized folklore character on his head with an all-new older character and appearance.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
The fourth cycle, Scotland, is wonderfully atmospheric, filled with suspense and romanticized landscapes.
—Ernesto Lechner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
The fact that Paul doesn’t need The Bachelorette to rise to fame opens more space for the sort of romanticized yearning that was a hallmark of early Bachelor seasons.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Doug Friednash, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
To be sure, educational systems need to be reformed, not romanticized.
—Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
In the fight to save Wikie and Keijo, the idea of a sanctuary is the enemy of the existing marine park — both options are still captivity, yet one is romanticized and one vilified — and more importantly one form is a fantasy, the other a reality.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, the crisp New England environs of Bangor, Maine provide a stunning backdrop for the proceedings — charming, but not romanticized in an overly syrupy way.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Holi has also been romanticized and popularized over the decades in Bollywood films.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Maybe if Robinson had 31-inch arms the Dolphins wouldn’t have romanticized him so much, and avoided selecting him with the 21st overall pick.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Wilson’s mugshot exploded across social media, sparking a wave of online fixation as many women openly romanticized his looks.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
There is nothing romanticized about the pain her characters experience.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Souvenirs of a romanticized fin-de-siècle Ruritania are presented without interest or elaboration.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
But the brief, costly, impractical service still became one of the most romanticized episodes in American history—a legacy wildly disproportionate to its lifespan.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
There’s often this romanticized view of earlier eras that ignores their darker sides.
—Ivy Pochoda, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
While its romanticized view of the past may not be for everyone, the series excels in demonstrating da Vinci's boundless creativity, channeled through Tom Riley's cheeky, charismatic performance that brings the artist into the 21st century.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Its pitch was to show the Golden State as a romanticized destination, one that in the post-Gold Rush era has often given America permission to dream.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
In a new retelling of the Robin Hood legend, the Wolverine alum turns the romanticized folklore character on his head with an all-new older character and appearance.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
The fourth cycle, Scotland, is wonderfully atmospheric, filled with suspense and romanticized landscapes.
—Ernesto Lechner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
The fact that Paul doesn’t need The Bachelorette to rise to fame opens more space for the sort of romanticized yearning that was a hallmark of early Bachelor seasons.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Caucuses are often romanticized as a crucial engine of grassroots democracy.
—Doug Friednash, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
To be sure, educational systems need to be reformed, not romanticized.
—Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
In the fight to save Wikie and Keijo, the idea of a sanctuary is the enemy of the existing marine park — both options are still captivity, yet one is romanticized and one vilified — and more importantly one form is a fantasy, the other a reality.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, the crisp New England environs of Bangor, Maine provide a stunning backdrop for the proceedings — charming, but not romanticized in an overly syrupy way.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Holi has also been romanticized and popularized over the decades in Bollywood films.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Maybe if Robinson had 31-inch arms the Dolphins wouldn’t have romanticized him so much, and avoided selecting him with the 21st overall pick.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Wilson’s mugshot exploded across social media, sparking a wave of online fixation as many women openly romanticized his looks.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
There is nothing romanticized about the pain her characters experience.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romanticized
Adjective
-
In Oakville, a portion of the famed To Kalon Vineyard was planted with Sauvignon Blanc in 1945, and more than 75 percent of those original vines remain productive today.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Similar Kind from Norwalk played the famed Bowery Ballroom venue in New York City earlier this month.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the latest in a line of black, child singing stars (Little Esther, Frankie Lymon, Little Stevie Wonder) and family groups (Staple Singers, 5 Stairsteps), the J5 fulfilled the idealized model for each category.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
-
And while downtown Bentonville is presented as an idealized small town of the past, the city’s building boom and traffic jams point to a rural past that no longer exists.—
Steve Lackmeyer,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Often, fires are depicted in an overly dramatic or glamorized way, but each home represents a person’s life.—
TIME Photo Department,
Time,
23 Dec. 2025
-
My journey will be publicized and glamorized, but my evolution process is sacred to me.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Twenty-eight years after bringing the storied luxury brand back from the dead, Volkswagen Group no longer counts Bugatti among its stable of brands.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
His storied coaching career has reached the crossroads.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sure, there are some legendary money managers who have outperformed the averages — over the long run.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The 41-year-old is still adding legendary plays to his collection.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But this year’s report, published Wednesday, has the Queen City of the East – home of horror author Stephen King and the mythical birthplace of lumberjack Paul Bunyan – standing alone.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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What could be more human than to weave a mythic narrative of self and clan around what is remembered, and the slippages of what might have been?—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Considered Lisbon’s highest perch, this Graça hideaway, close to a stop for the fabled 28 tram, has amazing views of the castle just across the way, and the city and Tagus River beyond.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus will take over and lead the fabled iPhone and MacBook maker.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romanticized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romanticized. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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