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
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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
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Perched against the rugged shoreline away from Waikiki, Turtle Bay is ideal for families, couples or groups of friends, offering activities like surfing lessons, for people of all abilities, and horseback riding.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2025
Just steps from the sand and a short stroll to the landmark Huntington Beach Pier, the resort offers 519 spacious rooms and suites — many featuring oceanview terraces, private firepits and adjoining or connecting layouts ideal for a multigenerational family staycation.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Adjective
In an ideal world, there would be little to no need for human operators to ever enter hazardous environments.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Perched against the rugged shoreline away from Waikiki, Turtle Bay is ideal for families, couples or groups of friends, offering activities like surfing lessons, for people of all abilities, and horseback riding.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
This makes the sneaker trend ideal for the cooler season and classic autumnal colors.
—Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2025
Just steps from the sand and a short stroll to the landmark Huntington Beach Pier, the resort offers 519 spacious rooms and suites — many featuring oceanview terraces, private firepits and adjoining or connecting layouts ideal for a multigenerational family staycation.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
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The results offer crucial confirmation for theoretical models about how magnetic turbulence carries and dissipates energy in the sun's upper atmosphere, Morton added.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This is not a theoretical concern.—
David Miliband,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In those meetings, our would-be bosses told us to make mock phone calls to prospective clients to gauge our ability to convince strangers about the merit of an imaginary product.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
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Each one was built by a Ramona family, less to keep away any errant birds from imaginary crops at the Grange parking lot, but more to celebrate fall and enjoy a family collaboration.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Includes gardening tips to grow perfect perennials and chiles for every palate, plus articles on delicious Ukrainian food dishes and Christmas family traditions, banana recipe contest winners and practical life advice.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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To this day, it's celebrated as one of the most iconic musical pairings ever captured on television — a shimmering handoff between generations and a snapshot of two powerhouse voices meeting in perfect harmony.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Seven decades later, these ideas are mainstream in both Israeli and US discourse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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One idea that still looks elegant but adds a little something-something?—
Luz García,
Glamour,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One that could eventually lead readers to engaging with poetry collections and classics with a new perspective.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Highlander remake’s call sheet keeps getting longer and longer as Siobhán Cullen, Jun Jong-seo, Nassim Lyes, and Kevin McKidd have joined the Amazon MGM’s remake of the 1980s cult classic.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Grief pressed in, but so did purpose.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Beverly, a waitress who had another daughter and then a son in the two years after Smith was born (and eventually one more daughter), had little time for her eldest’s metaphysical ponderings.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
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The film follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey), who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and must conquer the demons, both physical and metaphysical, that haunt its legacy.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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First, and perhaps most obvious, the fictional thriller draws inspiration from the Manson Family's home invasion and murder of Sharon Tate and her friends, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger and Wojciech Frykowski, as well as Steven Parent, who was visiting the home's caretaker.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Heart of the Ocean may be fictional, but its legend feels real—modeled loosely on the Hope Diamond.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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