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

The Sacramento Bee profiles trace each candidate’s path to the race — from a Sacramento high school poker table to an idealistic Silicon Valley startup. — Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026

During the conversation, Ji Xiao’an, Baima’s longtime friend and the founder of SKP, inquired about how Songtsam could convey his idealistic ethos within a business context. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Those programs have an idealistic Vermont flavor that is shaped by Clark and his wife, Katie Clark, who is Beta’s head of brand, creative, culture and spaces. — IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026

That may earn her the admiration of her college comrades, but at home, she’s seen as an idealistic naif — mocked, in particular, by her older brother Milan (Miodrag Dragicevic), who is staunchly right-wing in his sympathies. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 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