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

Tom Steyer is too focused on bringing about idealistic policy outcomes to be sensitive to the worldly conditions that will make their implementation detrimental. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026

O’Casey is Liz Gold, an idealistic young woman at the heart of the story, reprising her role from the stage adaptation which recently completed its West End run. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026

Sandra Oh’s Ji-Yoon Kim is frazzled, idealistic, and inclined to compromise as her stock rises at the university. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026

Les' idealistic vision is to use this breakthrough for the good of humanity. —Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for idealistic

• anachronistic
• animalistic
• antagonistic
• antiphlogistic
• behavioristic
• cannibalistic
• capitalistic
• characteristic
• collectivistic
• deterministic
• ethnolinguistic
• expressionistic