high-minded

adjective

high-mind·​ed ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd 

: marked by elevated principles and feelings

also : pretentious

… too high-minded to read any fiction …

—Alfred Kazin

high-mindedly adverb

high-mindedness noun

Synonyms of high-minded

• noble
• great
• high
• honorable
• sublime
• gallant

Examples of high-minded in a Sentence

high-minded efforts to improve the lives of people who are less fortunate

she was too high-minded to admit publicly to watching trashy movies, but privately she loved them

Recent Examples on the Web

My bookcase is filled with high-minded proposals made by expert panels, mostly to address budget deficits. — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Moreover, the average person seeing a super PAC ad will not know what was in those filings, but will simply see the high-minded sounding name of the PAC. — Richard J. Davis, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026

These are not the times for high-minded prestige series that require active viewing to appreciate every nuance, nor for thrillers and comedies exciting enough to quicken the pulse. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026

Considerably more sympathetic to her plight is Melanie Saunders (Graynor), a high-minded acting teacher whose intensive Act One studio Hannah chances upon while researching her favorite young actress, Gracie Thomas (Tavi Gevinson), online. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for high-minded

• reminded
• blinded
• minded
• feebleminded
• masterminded

Kids Definition

high-minded

adjective

high-mind·​ed

ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd

: having or expressing noble ideas and feelings

high-mindedly adverb

high-mindedness noun