romanticize
UK: rəʊˈmæntɪsaɪz | US: roʊˈmæntɪsaɪz
vt. to describe or interpret something in an idealized or exaggerated manner, often ignoring practical realities
vt. to make something seem more romantic or appealing than it actually is
The word "romanticize" stems from "romantic," which traces back to the Latin "romanticus" (pertaining to a story or romance) and the Old French "romanz" (vernacular narrative). The suffix "-ize" (from Greek "-izein") was added to form a verb meaning "to make romantic." The term evolved in the 18th–19th centuries alongside Romanticism, reflecting a cultural shift toward idealizing emotion, nature, and individualism. The verb "romanticize" emerged to describe the act of imbuing reality with these idealized qualities.
Historians warn against romanticizing the past, as it often overlooks harsh realities.
The film romanticizes war, portraying it as heroic rather than tragic.
She tends to romanticize her childhood, forgetting the difficulties she faced.
Travel blogs sometimes romanticize remote locations, ignoring local challenges.
Don’t romanticize unhealthy relationships—they rarely match fairy-tale expectations.