1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
honesty is an ideal entity that has more admirers than practitioners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
depicts an ideal society in which conflict and privation are unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in perfect
being entirely without fault or flaw
for years she's been searching for a man who would make an ideal husband, and she's still looking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in idea
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
she's our ideal of the concerned, caring physician
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in classic
the most perfect type or example
the Taj Mahal in India is generally regarded as the ideal of Mogul architectural beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
his ideal is to make enough money so that he can retire at 50
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ideal
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
Of course, the conditions in Westwood last season weren’t ideal for takeoff.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 May 2026
The one-time license provides the OS on a single PC—ideal for users who want to upgrade without recurring costs.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Adjective
The Avenue of the Arts with its theaters and music venues stretches just south, making the hotel an ideal location for culture buffs, too.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
Of course, the conditions in Westwood last season weren’t ideal for takeoff.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Noun
His opponents mostly argue within the same framework, insisting the system should be fairer but still organized around the same ideals.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 May 2026
The one-time license provides the OS on a single PC—ideal for users who want to upgrade without recurring costs.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
-
With all of the film’s complicated theoretical physics and flowery musings about the power of love and time, going melodramatic could push the film into eyeroll territory.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
The emergence of synthetic performers such as Tilly Norwood reflects how quickly those questions have moved from theoretical to practical.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Footnotes and excerpts from imaginary texts add to the story’s worldbuilding and its charm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
The takeaway isn’t that morning anxiety is imaginary.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The breezy material is perfect for keeping cool during the day, yet dressy enough to pair with sandals and a slinky top for an evening out.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Set yourself up for summer entertaining with this rearrangeable option that fits up to six people, or snag a dining table and stools that a reviewer said are perfect for al fresco meals.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
May 21 – June 20 A good idea turns into real progress faster than expected.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
Haring’s totems clearly express this idea.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
His breakdown moment with Lane’s Willy, whose explosive temper is finally subdued by his son’s desperate need to be seen, draws out all the tragic heartbreak of a classic that has been liberated from the customary domestic trappings only to be made more intimate.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Who could forget that instant classic?—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This approach builds upon the original intent of the Donohoe Act, which began with positive goals but did not fully achieve its purpose.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The city has banned an arm in common use for lawful purposes by law-abiding citizens.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Glenn Turner, the former owner of a pagan and metaphysical shop, is running as a member of the Green Party.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Matarrese delves into the history underlying these two women’s longstanding feud and arrives at a tragicomic, inventive meditation on the metaphysical possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That is the unhinged (complimentary) premise of Thomas Elrod’s debut, in which the fictional cult-classic epic fantasy Malicarn series is staged on an island with unwitting actors temporarily imprinted with the characters’ backstories.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Midtown office buildings One of the most recognizable locations in the film is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, a 51-story tower in Midtown Manhattan that served as the exterior for the fictional Runway magazine headquarters in the original 2006 film.—
Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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