nonideal
adjective
non·ide·al
ˌnän-ī-ˈdē(-ə)l 
-ˈī-ˌdē(-ə)l
: not ideal
especially
: not exactly right for a particular purpose, situation, or person
nonideal circumstances
nonideally
adverb
Examples of nonideal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent weeks, though, Americans have followed a nonideal pattern: Those seeking boosters have far oustripped those getting first shots—evidence of the persistent obsession over who needs more protection, rather than who has not yet gotten any at all.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2021
The reality is that many of the squeaky wheels tend to be nonideal clients.
—Darrell Amy, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022
But scarcity could prompt people to use the tests in nonideal ways, as my pharmacist was verging on advising me to do.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2021
Perhaps in response to the nonideal economic release, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) rolled over RMB 600 billion worth of medium-term lending facilities (MLF) that came due today, in a sign of continuing policy support.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021
Today was different—even with the drizzly, nonideal conditions.
—Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2018
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Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2021
The reality is that many of the squeaky wheels tend to be nonideal clients.
—Darrell Amy, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022
But scarcity could prompt people to use the tests in nonideal ways, as my pharmacist was verging on advising me to do.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2021
Perhaps in response to the nonideal economic release, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) rolled over RMB 600 billion worth of medium-term lending facilities (MLF) that came due today, in a sign of continuing policy support.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021
Today was different—even with the drizzly, nonideal conditions.
—Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Nonideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonideal. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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