idealized

Seen as flawless

Idealized describes something represented as perfect or better than reality—flaws removed, virtues enhanced.

An idealized portrait flatters its subject.

An idealized version of the past glosses over hardships.

The word often carries a note of gentle criticism, suggesting the representation may be unrealistic: His idealized memories of childhood didn't match his sister's recollections.

romanticized

rose-colored

Pinkish or overly hopeful

idolized · worshipped · adored · cherished · glorified · mythologized · legendary · heroic · chivalric · courtly

perfect

flawless

Entirely without fault

pristine · unblemished · untarnished · paragon · quintessential · archetypal · consummate · peerless · matchless · nonpareil

nostalgic

halcyon

Peacefully prosperous era

retrospective · wistful · bittersweet · memories · yesteryear · reminiscent · sentimental · pastoral · idyllic · Arcadian

utopian

paradise

Ideal, blissful place

harmonious · egalitarian · commune · cooperative · sustainable · peaceful · visionary · Shangri-La · planned · collective

unrealistic

unattainable

Impossible to acquire

naive · oversimplified · impossible · wishful · illusory · delusory · head-in-clouds · starry-eyed · detached · disconnected

aspirational

goals

Intended end results

excellence · vision · dreams · motivation · betterment · striving · hoped-for · envisioned · imagined · projected

Categories
Opposites
perfection vs. imperfection

idealizedimperfect

Having flaws or faults

flawed · defective · blemished · tarnished · faulty

romanticized vs. realistic representation

idealizedrealistic

True to life

unvarnished · warts-and-all · unsentimental · clear-eyed · unflinching

abstraction vs. actuality

idealizedactual

Existing in fact

real · concrete · practical · pragmatic · grounded

Phrases
Family

idealize, idealization, idealizing, idealizes, idealizations

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G