high-minded

adjective

high-mind·​ed ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd How to pronounce high-minded (audio)
: marked by elevated principles and feelings
also : pretentious
too high-minded to read any fiction Alfred Kazin
high-mindedly adverb
high-mindedness noun

Examples of high-minded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the Troisgros kitchen, great food is a matter of craft, history, and dedication to an ideal, all of which may sound tediously high-minded, but which, in this movie, turns out to be thrilling. David Denby, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023 Aquarius: Kelly says the high-minded Aquarius will find its match in an Aries or Sagittarius. Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 Yet beneath such high-minded rhetoric, American brands pushed for greater access to China for the simple reason that its factories could turn out goods more cheaply than anywhere else. Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023 This dreamy 19th-century son of New England was a high-minded Transcendentalist and visionary teacher, and, as a husband and father, a terrible provider. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023 There is an inspiring conjunction between the Moon and Mars in your high-minded 9th house, which is encouraging you to explore beyond your usual limitations. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 The collision of high-minded leftism, Park Avenue wealth, and Black radical politics was irresistible as a subject for Wolfe to mock. Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2023 But Newsom’s pledge seemed less high-minded and noble than impulsive and calculated. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023 The conferences blossomed into popular high-minded affairs that attract CEOs, celebrities and philanthropists to locations around the world. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'high-minded.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-minded was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near high-minded

Cite this Entry

“High-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-minded. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

high-minded

adjective
high-mind·​ed
ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd
: having or expressing noble ideas and feelings
high-mindedly adverb
high-mindedness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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