idealistic

adjective

ide·​al·​is·​tic (ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈli-stik 

ˌī-dē-

1

: of or relating to idealists or idealism

2

a

: believing in ideals

idealistic activists

b

: not realistic or practical

a naïve and idealistic dreamer

idealistically

(ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌī-dē-

adverb

Synonyms of idealistic

• romantic
• impractical
• idealist
• utopian

Examples of idealistic in a Sentence

idealistic pacifists who thought that tyranny could be toppled by rational argument and mutual understanding

Recent Examples on the Web

Like Wilde, Basil possesses an idealistic devotion to beauty and love that proves his undoing. — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

There still exists in him the hope for a return to his idealistic notion of the box being a portal for dimensional advancement, where diseases could be cured, peace could be achieved, and a techno-utopia might be possible across all worlds. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

The series is set in a world under constant surveillance, in which a troubled war veteran and an idealistic Europol agent form an unlikely duo to unravel a tech conspiracy threatening Europe and the foundations of reality, the logline runs. — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

At a time when so many of us were trying our damnedest to avoid the draft, Oliver was an idealistic dreamer whose desire for adventure led him to enlist in the army. — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for idealistic

• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic
• aphoristic
• atheistic
• atomistic
• cabalistic
• calvinistic
• chauvinistic
• dualistic
• egoistic
• egotistic