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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beau ideal
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 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
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
There was a time when the beau ideal was to drive your sports car to the track, paint numbers on it, go racing and then drive home.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 6 July 2017
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 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
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
There was a time when the beau ideal was to drive your sports car to the track, paint numbers on it, go racing and then drive home.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beau ideal
Noun
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The two most visible competitors, Samsung and Apple, do have models that sit between the vanilla and the Pro handsets, but their difference is a larger screen with the same performance as the vanilla model.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Well, the set of the Valentino show was a red room where models waited inside bathroom stalls, which was reportedly inspired by the late great film director David Lynch, who worked with Naomi Watts on the 2001 film, Mulholland Drive.—
Aamina Inayat Khan,
StyleCaster,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Their commitment to bearing witness under extraordinary circumstances represents the highest ideals of our profession.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Many influencers and individuals share their frequent trips online, sometimes drawing criticism for showing the unrealistic ideal of being able to afford numerous vacations per year or respond to life's challenges by leaving home.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Then Sterling did some less effective things and got suspended anyway, so that mad idea was, at least, parked for the time being.—
Amy Lawrence,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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The cultural dynamic of these ideas has changed, but the fundamental product being sold by Musk has not: one man with a singular ability to brute force his way to the future.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This will be the first time Alinea has popped up in New York City, and the dinner will be a mix of the restaurant’s enduring classics from its two-decade history (expect some food that floats) and new experiences created specifically for the Olmsted space.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Sip on the Pineapple Suite, a tropical nod to Season 1; The Lotus, a sophisticated tribute to Taormina’s allure; Coconut Paradise, a taste of Koh Samui’s dreamy shores; or The White Lotus Gimlet, an elevated take on a classic with coconut lotus syrup.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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After arriving by train in Cardiff, the royal couple made their way to Pontypridd, about 12 miles northwest, for a visit ahead of St. David’s Day, which celebrates the patron saint of Wales on March 1.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Some believe the holiday takes place in February to honor the anniversary of the death of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers, according to Britannica.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Add a cherry to the center of each pineapple ring for party perfection.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2025
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Lou breaks apart the veneer of narrative perfection, in order to show where the power lies.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For example, Zhou Guanyu's crash in Silverstone in 2023 could have done a lot more damage if there wasn't a catch fence there to stop the car.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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For example, consider an art major rather than adding another qualified engineer to the Engineering Department because this person would think differently and more creatively.—
Laurie Harbour and Scott Walton,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This year marks the first significant new manifestation of enterprise AI for healthcare.—
Simon Mainwaring,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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While Trump’s opponents may view that attitude as one more manifestation of his autocratic instincts, his complaint is grounded in legitimate concerns about the separation of powers that presidents of both parties have raised for many years.—
Jacob Sullum,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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