idealization — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act or process of idealizing.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The representation of natural objects, scenes, etc., in such a way as to show their most important characteristics; the study of the ideal.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a portrayal of something as ideal

   Synonyms

   idealisationglorification

   Broader terms

   admirationappreciation

   Examples

   the idealization of rural life was very misleading

2. (psychiatry) a defense mechanism that splits something you are ambivalent about into two representations — one good and one bad

   Synonyms

   idealisation

   Broader terms

   defense mechanismdefense reactiondefence mechanismdefence reactiondefensedefence

3. something that exists only as an idea

   Synonyms

   idealisation

   Broader terms

   ideathought