as in romantic
having or marked by a tendency to be guided more by ideals than by reality
an idealist attempt to make a go of a mom-and-pop hardware store on Main Street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dreamer
one whose conduct is guided more by the image of perfection than by the real world
an idealist sees the best in everyone, regardless of how they behave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of idealist
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
In the new release, Temple plays idealist scientist Dr. Teddy Paine opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor’s General Rex Strickland — the overseer of a secret research facility dedicated to symbiotes.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
And the call isn’t just coming from idealists this time – the prestigious science journal Nature is also now arguing for a global rail revival – not as a nostalgic nod to the past, but as a pragmatic cornerstone of climate strategy.
—Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealist
Adjective
Labour leader Starmer, though, has taken a realist rather than an idealist approach to the president, putting Britain's foreign policy interests above the strong opposition to Trump in the rank and file of his own party.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
In the new release, Temple plays idealist scientist Dr. Teddy Paine opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor’s General Rex Strickland — the overseer of a secret research facility dedicated to symbiotes.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
Some idealists set out to build a new community from scratch.
—Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
And the call isn’t just coming from idealists this time – the prestigious science journal Nature is also now arguing for a global rail revival – not as a nostalgic nod to the past, but as a pragmatic cornerstone of climate strategy.
—Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealist
Adjective
-
Calgary, Alberta The third-largest city by population in Canada, Calgary offers a vibrant destination for literary enthusiasts that is a refreshing change of pace from the often sleepy, romantic bookish towns.—
Lara Kramer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Colleen Hoover adaptation is shaping up to be a modest hit for the studio, which spent $25 million on the romantic drama.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
School arts programs with healthy budgets for every student are integral to our local communities and give inspiration to the next generation of creative dreamers.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Hadestown is comprised of two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Kornev is young and infused with an idealistic zeal, refusing to let these goons stonewall him.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The messenger – idealistic French emigré, Charles Darnay (François Civil) – is arrested and charged with treason.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The creator notes the concept suits cabins, RVs, and off-grid structures particularly well — anywhere grid ties are impractical or expensive.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Stylists also caution against looks that feel overly themed or impractical.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This area, which is home to utopian-sounding towns like Thanksgiving Point and American Fork, has more plastic surgeons per capita than Los Angeles, according to a 2017 report published by the Utah Women & Leadership Project.—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But although these years saw a crisis of the old order and a profusion of utopian or apocalyptic egalitarian thinking, it was still organized around theological rather than economic ideas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idealist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealist. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
