Idealize

To idealize is to regard or represent something as perfect or more perfect than it really is. This often involves exaggerating positive qualities and downplaying negative ones. Idealization can apply to people, places, concepts, or situations. It's a process of forming an often unrealistic image fueled by hopes, desires, and subjective interpretations. The act of idealizing can be driven by a longing for something better or an attempt to find meaning and beauty in the world. It frequently entails filtering out less desirable aspects to create a more appealing mental construct. It can also be a defense mechanism, allowing someone to cope with difficult emotions by focusing on a romanticized version of reality.

Idealize meaning with examples

• The young couple, blinded by romantic infatuation, began to idealize their relationship, overlooking glaring incompatibilities and ignoring warning signs. They built a fantasy of a perfect future together, painting over any red flags that emerged.
• Many tourists visiting the countryside idealize rural life, romanticizing its peace and simplicity without acknowledging the challenges and hardships faced by its inhabitants, thus creating a rose-tinted view of what life in these areas is like.
• Historical figures are often idealized; later generations tend to focus on their achievements and overlook their flaws. For example, people often forget how flawed founding fathers are.
• Her memory of her childhood was heavily idealized, creating a false narrative of a blissful past that, in reality, held struggles and difficult experiences she chose to block out or make more palatable.