glorification
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words describe presenting something in a favourable light, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Glorification' is the most critical — it accuses the speaker of deliberately inflating the truth, often for manipulative purposes ('the glorification of war in propaganda'). 'Idealisation' focuses on portraying something as perfect or flawless, typically without the same aggressive accusation ('the idealisation of family life in advertisements'). 'Romanticisation' applies most often to harsh or ugly subjects — war, poverty, crime — that are made to seem exciting or beautiful ('the romanticisation of the outlaw in American folklore'). 'Exaltation' is the most formal and can be neutral or positive ('the exaltation of human reason during the Enlightenment'), though in modern use it often sounds poetic or old-fashioned. Choose 'glorification' when the speaker clearly disagrees with the praise being given; choose 'idealisation' when the description is overly perfect but not necessarily malicious.
Common collocations
Etymology
From Latin 'glorificare' (to honour, to make glorious), which combines 'gloria' (fame, renown, glory) and '-ficare' (to make, to do). The word entered English through Old French 'glorification' in the 14th century, originally used only in religious contexts to mean the act of praising God. The critical sense — accusing someone of exaggerated praise — developed much later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, as the word moved from church language into political and social commentary.