1
as in model
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
she is the beau ideal of the dedicated medical professional
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ideal
the most perfect type or example
Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous architectural creation, Falling Water, is widely regarded as the beau ideal of a building in harmony with its setting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 beau ideal
The beau ideal of local graft was Hall’s boss, Fate Thomas, the Davidson County sheriff.
—
James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
For those who’ve forgotten, celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was seen for a time as the Democratic beau ideal, a brawler who could get under Trump’s skin and take the fight to the president like few others could or would.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
The beau ideal of illiberal democracy is, of course, Viktor Orbán of Hungary, who outlined the term in a 2014 speech.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
At Délice & Sarrasin, a charming French bistro in the West Village, vegans can bide their time in style, enticing new recruits with the beau ideal of meatless haute cuisine.
—David Kortava, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2021
If Hicks is the beau ideal in today’s MLB, then Miles Mikolas is a throwback to the Roosevelt administration.
—Michael Beller, SI.com, 23 May 2018
Conservatives like to imagine Reagan as the beau ideal of a president who faithfully adhered to their principles, but Trump is the president who has actually done it.
—Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, 23 Feb. 2018
If Teddy Roosevelt was the Harvard beau ideal at the turn of the last century, Mark Zuckerberg is the Harvard man to be in the new millennium.
—William Stadiem, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2016
James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
For those who’ve forgotten, celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was seen for a time as the Democratic beau ideal, a brawler who could get under Trump’s skin and take the fight to the president like few others could or would.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
The beau ideal of illiberal democracy is, of course, Viktor Orbán of Hungary, who outlined the term in a 2014 speech.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
At Délice & Sarrasin, a charming French bistro in the West Village, vegans can bide their time in style, enticing new recruits with the beau ideal of meatless haute cuisine.
—David Kortava, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2021
If Hicks is the beau ideal in today’s MLB, then Miles Mikolas is a throwback to the Roosevelt administration.
—Michael Beller, SI.com, 23 May 2018
Conservatives like to imagine Reagan as the beau ideal of a president who faithfully adhered to their principles, but Trump is the president who has actually done it.
—Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, 23 Feb. 2018
If Teddy Roosevelt was the Harvard beau ideal at the turn of the last century, Mark Zuckerberg is the Harvard man to be in the new millennium.
—William Stadiem, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beau ideal
Noun
-
That realization would lead to the launch of Authentic Studios in 2023 — and with it, a new model for how fashion and lifestyle brands can operate as content creators.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Aside from the fans, real-life OnlyFans models have taken issue with Cassie’s portrayal and content on the show.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite a less-than-ideal season opener, Caitlin Clark is still piling up career milestones.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
There are two drawers for storage, plus a lower shelf ideal for displaying styles that require quick and easy access.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Of course, Father’s Day brunch ideas must go beyond casual weekday toast and cereal, because the fathers and father figures in our lives deserve a little extra effort.—
Hannah Lee Leidy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 May 2026
-
The kind of storm leaving Maxey resigned to the very idea of defeat before the halftime break.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The Morning Fork is a mom-and-pop diner serving brunch classics like a full or half order of eggs benedict ($17), Belgian waffles ($12) and burritos ($20).—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
As a broadcaster, Turner revolutionized television with programming including the first 24-hour news network and Turner Classic Films, a channel devoted to Hollywood classics.—
Matt Carlstrom,
Vanity Fair,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Tucci, who thankfully gets a lot more screen time here, understands the assignment and plays the patron saint in a waistcoat with aplomb.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Anchoring it is the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, an excellent example of Romanesque architecture named for the city’s patron saint.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And when setbacks inevitably happen, Hood said resilience matters more than perfection.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
The limited menu is curated to perfection and has staple dishes with local meats, such as the Carolina Mountain Trout and the Open Range Meatloaf.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Their collapse against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League is the best example, but this is also what happened against City in April.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
For example, say the Heat were to instead pursue Lauri Markkanen perhaps with Kel’el Ware and Tyler Herro as the hook and then learn those two components could have closed a Giannis deal?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In the face of shooting and shooting-up deaths, if permanent gates — which are, after all, only a physical manifestation of the existing curfew — will deter mischief and malfeasance post-midnight, then my vote is to lock it up.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Examples include his pioneering insights on the dispersal of seeds, his anticipation of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and his study of the seasonal manifestations of natural phenomena, such as plants’ flowering times and bird migrations.—
Robert M. Thorson,
The Conversation,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
