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 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
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
Male dictators are Trump’s beau ideal of an admirable world leader.
—Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, 24 Jan. 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
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
Male dictators are Trump’s beau ideal of an admirable world leader.
—Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, 24 Jan. 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 Double Shot made our reviewer's hair nice and smooth while giving it volume, and managed to give less frizz than other models.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
9 July 2025
-
Map migration priorities to outcomes such as accelerating innovation, enabling real-time analytics or supporting new digital business models.—
Chetan Mathur,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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This New Balance sneaker earns top marks because its cushioned base and rubber sole are designed to cradle each step — ideal for seniors or those with foot pain.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
Helicopters Central Washington's long, sunny summer days and cool evenings make the region ideal for growing sweet cherries.—
David Morgan
July 11,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Miloš had a wacky idea about Burt Reynolds for a while.—
Jordan Hoffman Updated,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
-
Just as the fish rise to the surface when the water is calm, your best ideas may surface when your mind is tranquil and wandering during an evening shower.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The film didn’t perform well, but the soundtrack has become a cult classic, and now, The Pick of Destiny has become a commercial success.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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During a stay, guests are privy to elaborate breakfast spreads that present Mexican classics like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles in the highest quality manner with ingredients sourced from traditional markets around the city.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Chödrön is a kind of patron saint to Buddhists in the United States, and for good reason.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
-
The casket of the patron saint of headache sufferers is about four feet long.—
Nick Butler,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Speaking of perfection, yes, there is such a thing as being too organized.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
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There was a clip about 'perfection' that was narrated by Russell Crowe.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, has called it the worst idea in the history of the sport, for example.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
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For example, a set of blue chairs at the far end of a rectangular garden will make the space feel larger than a set of red chairs in the same place.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
Noun
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These methods address not just the emotional but the physical manifestations of moral injury and foster long-term resilience.—
Yujia Zhu,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Wimbledon is the tennis manifestation of this attitude, the sensible friend who likes to call it a night early.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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