idealistic

adjective

ide·​al·​is·​tic (ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈli-stik How to pronounce idealistic (audio)
ˌī-dē-
Synonyms of idealisticnext
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 adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The familiar, idealistic version of his legacy is one that has been carefully curated. Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 And how did an idealistic protest for protecting Black lives turn into a circle of silence surrounding the killing of a Black teenager? NPR, 4 June 2026 The best of them are idiosyncratic and idealistic in the extreme. Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026 Young, idealistic people who saw Hal as a mentor and would have followed him into any battle. Debora Cahn, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for idealistic

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of idealistic was in 1824

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Cite this Entry

“Idealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idealistic. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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