What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pygmalionism
Example
He suffered from pygmalionism, always seeing his partner as perfect and flawless. [pygmalionism: noun]
Example
She was guilty of pygmalionism, projecting her own desires and expectations onto her friend. [pygmalionism: noun]
idealization
Example
Her idealization of her partner made it difficult for her to see their flaws. [idealization: noun]
Example
He had a tendency towards idealization, always seeing the best in people. [idealization: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Idealization is a more common word than pygmalionism and is used in a variety of contexts, including psychology, art, and literature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pygmalionism and idealization?
Both pygmalionism and idealization are formal words that may not be familiar to beginner ESL learners. However, idealization is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
