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Glite Dictionary
to mythicize

to mythicize

1 9.9
To make someone or something seem larger and more special than they really were
  • verb
  • /ˈmɪθɪˌsaɪz/
: mitificar
  • They mythicized them as the Minihuenes, but they were a real population of Micronesians.

Examples

  • Historians often mythicize events from the past, emphasizing their significance in a way that elevates them to legendary status.

  • The film mythicizes the history of the ancient warriors, turning their real sacrifices into legendary tales.

  • In her novel, she mythicizes the struggles of her ancestors, portraying them as heroic figures in a grand saga.

Synonyms

to romanticize
vsto mythicize
  • US
24 6.7

Make something seem more attractive and ideal than it really is

gives legendary or symbolic meaning rather than sentimental appeal
to glamorize
vsto mythicize
  • US
12 5.8

To make someone or something look more attractive and exciting than they really are

adds legendary or storylike aura rather than mere surface attractiveness
to idealize
vsto mythicize
9 5.8

To think someone or something is more perfect than they really are

focuses on legendary or storylike qualities rather than simple perfection
to mythologize
vsto mythicize
4 7.7

To say something was a legend or better than it really was by ignoring faults

focuses on giving legendary status rather than describing literal truth
to apotheosize
vsto mythicize
  • Literature
1 9.9

To make someone seem like a god or without faults

gives legendary or symbolic traits rather than claiming divine status
to heroize
vsto mythicize
1 7.9

To make someone seem very brave and admired

adds legendary or symbolic layers beyond mere hero praise
to mythify
vsto mythicize
1 8.9

To make someone seem like a hero by praising them too much

treats things as legendary or symbolic rather than neutral fact
to supernaturalize
vsto mythicize
1 9.9

Give a person or thing powers beyond what is normal

adds legendary or symbolic meaning rather than literal magic or power

Antonyms

to demystify
7 5.1

To make something easier to understand by removing mystery or confusion

How Mythical

to deify
7 8.4
to mythicize
1 9.9
to describe
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

mythicize infinitive
mythicized past
mythicized past participle
mythicizing present participle
mythicizes third person singular

Morphology

mythicize = mythic (transparent) = myth + ic + ize

Formed from 'myth' -> 'mythic' (clear adjective formation) then verb-forming '-ize' to mean 'to make or treat as myth', so the derivation and meaning are directly predictable.

Etymology

The word mythicize comes from myth ('old story') and the ending -ize ('to make'). So to mythicize something is to make it into a myth or treat it like a legend.