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

That book, which served as a major source for Christopher Nolan’s 2023 blockbuster biopic, Oppenheimer, presented a nuanced portrait of the idealistic, mystically inclined, yet duplicitous and power-seeking nuclear physicist. — Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 15 Sep. 2026

Garrel plays Matteo, an idealistic bookstore owner in Rome who falls for the very married actress Greta (Jasmine Trinca). — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

But, in the idealistic Harry, Sybylla finally meets a man who can see an unconventional woman as a partner to commend and enjoy, rather than to tame or endure. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026

This rebellion, though led by a modest farmer, was also powered by John Ball (Jamie Bell) here the most idealistic and fierce believer in the cause for justice, along with Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis). — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Sep. 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