Idolize vs. Idealize

To make an idol of, or to worship as an idol.

To adore excessively; to revere immoderately.

To make an idol of; to pay idolatrous worship to; as, to idolize the sacred bull in Egypt.

To love to excess; to love or reverence to adoration; as, to idolize gold, children, a hero.

To practice idolatry.

Example: ‘To idolize after the manner of Egypt.’;

love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol;

Example: ‘Many teenagers idolized the Beatles’;

(transitive) To regard something as ideal.

(intransitive) To conceive or form an ideal.

To portray using idealization.

To make ideal; to consider as ideal; to give an ideal form or value to; to attribute ideal characteristics and excellences to; as, to idealize real life.

To treat in an ideal manner. See Idealization, 2.

to form ideals.

To form ideals.

consider or render as ideal;

Example: ‘She idealized her husband after his death’;

form ideals;

Example: ‘Man has always idealized’;