idealism
noun
ide·al·ism
ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌliz-əm 
ˈī-(ˌ)dē-
1
a
: the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence
Slowly, a distinctive blue-collar counterculture emerged; it was harsher, more anarchic. … There was none of the philosophical posturing, little of the youthful idealism.—
Joe Klein
Joe Klein
b
: something that is idealized
… the real enemy of chivalric love, with its idealisms and quixotic denials … is permissiveness …—Cleanth Brooks
Cleanth Brooks2
philosophy
a(1)
: a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending phenomena
(2)
: a theory that the essential nature of reality lies in consciousness or reason
b(1)
: a theory that only the perceptible is real
(2)
: a theory that only mental states or entities are knowable
3
: literary or artistic theory or practice that affirms the preeminent value of imagination as compared with faithful copying of nature compare realism
Examples of idealism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But what Trump has always hated isn’t conflict but sacrifice, the notion that American power should ever be constrained by a veneer of idealism or care for global opinion.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
On Heavenly’s last record, released in 1996, their daydreamy idealism had become more vulgar and concrete, and the instrumental backing had adopted a Britpop punchiness to match; however, the album was released just after drummer Mathew Fletcher’s death, leading to Heavenly’s abrupt dissolution.
—Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
The students with aspirations to high office knew that idealism and ambition put off a lot of people.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
As Mrie recounts, Syrian democratic idealism curdled over time into infighting and worse.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idealism
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.
Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
On Heavenly’s last record, released in 1996, their daydreamy idealism had become more vulgar and concrete, and the instrumental backing had adopted a Britpop punchiness to match; however, the album was released just after drummer Mathew Fletcher’s death, leading to Heavenly’s abrupt dissolution.
—Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
The students with aspirations to high office knew that idealism and ambition put off a lot of people.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
As Mrie recounts, Syrian democratic idealism curdled over time into infighting and worse.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idealism. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
idealism
noun
ide·al·ism
ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌliz-əm
ˈī-(ˌ)dē-
: the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence
idealist
noun
-(ə-)ləst
idealistic
adjective
(ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈlis-tik,
ˌī-dē-
idealistically
adverb
-ti-k(ə-)lē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
