1
as in model
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
she is the beau ideal of the dedicated medical professional
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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
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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
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The department announced in May that Google, xAI and Microsoft had agreed to submit their AI models for security testing.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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Anthropic will offer the EU use of its cutting-edge Mythos AI model to plug cybersecurity holes.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The main building’s three Golden Hour suites come with private terraces, ideal for sunset views.—
Anya von Bremzen,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
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One side has calm, shallow water ideal for families and snorkeling.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
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The two can talk through any challenging or creative idea for hours or go their separate ways.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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However, bright, clever ideas also might spring up in your mind.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Noun
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While Paris is home to institutions like Harry’s Bar (which claims to be Europe’s first cocktail bar) and the birthplace of classics like the Prohibition-era Boulevardier, the city’s cocktail scene historically hasn't had the same edge as New York, London, or Singapore.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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For an edit of the best soft ballet flats on the market, scroll ahead—our favorites range from the edgy and cool to classics with fewer details and more functionality.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Similarly, Mexican Americans celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, in December.—
Bridget Retzloff,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
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Antonoff seems to have studied up on the teachings of Justin Vernon, modern patron saint of white-boy gospel music, and even Laurie Anderson—both artists with foundational works in the canon of digital disconnection—but his prevailing instinct is to shoot for the middle.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2026
Noun
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The record of my thinking is right there in the open, teaching me tolerance for my fumbling, training me not to hide my struggle behind a seamless façade of digital perfection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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The neighborhood/area Old Port perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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His tiff with Lindsay is a prime example.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
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Another example of that was seen on Tuesday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Being bitten by Pirate Clark may have been a manifestation of Clark's deepest emotional wounds and desires — or maybe the monster just needed a meal.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
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Meanwhile, here are some other Bay Area manifestations of the Miles/Coltrane centennial.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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