De-romanticize

To remove or diminish the fanciful or idealized aspects of something, presenting a more realistic or pragmatic perspective. This term is commonly used in literature, sociology, and discussions surrounding cultural practices, where the idealized versions of relationships, events, or concepts are stripped away to reveal underlying truths or harsh realities.

De-romanticize meaning with examples

• In her latest book, the author seeks to de-romanticize the notion of love, illustrating the struggles and compromises that couples often face rather than the fairy-tale endings depicted in popular media.
• During my presentation, I aimed to de-romanticize the startup culture by highlighting the financial instability and emotional toll it often takes on entrepreneurs, instead of focusing solely on success stories.
• The documentary uses historical accounts to de-romanticize the age of exploration, showing the greed and brutality that often accompanied these so-called heroic voyages.
• To de-romanticize the process of art creation, the artist shared candid insights into the frustrations, failures, and everyday realities that shape their work, countering the myth of effortless genius.
• The seminar was designed to de-romanticize the idea of work-life balance, emphasizing the need for hard choices and sacrifices instead of presenting it as an easily achievable goal.