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
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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
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
The set includes a couple of different variations of GIR’s cult favorite mini silicone spatulas, along with a flipper that’s perfect for silver dollar pancakes and a whisk that’s the ideal size for emulsifying small batches of salad dressing or beating eggs and milk in a liquid measuring cup.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2025
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
According to researchers, this structural precision could make metallic nanotubes ideal for next-generation electronic, superconducting, and quantum devices requiring atomic-level reliability.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Adjective
The overall effect was that of a youthful interpretation of a little black dress, ideal for the autumn season.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
The set includes a couple of different variations of GIR’s cult favorite mini silicone spatulas, along with a flipper that’s perfect for silver dollar pancakes and a whisk that’s the ideal size for emulsifying small batches of salad dressing or beating eggs and milk in a liquid measuring cup.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
This would not be an America where the founding ideals hold much sway.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
According to researchers, this structural precision could make metallic nanotubes ideal for next-generation electronic, superconducting, and quantum devices requiring atomic-level reliability.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
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By modeling the physics behind this phenomenon, researchers discovered that the human hand’s sensitivity approaches the theoretical limit of what can be detected through mechanical reflections.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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What Happens Next Some companies have experimented with shorter workweeks and reported gains in productivity and employee well-being, but the shift toward a widespread three-day or even four-day schedule is still largely theoretical.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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One way to represent a complex number like a + ib is as a point on a plane, where a is the position on the x-axis (which can be thought of as the real number line) and b is the position on an imaginary y-axis.—
Daniel Garisto,
Quanta Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, the tests measure AI’s ability to fix inconsistencies in customer invoices Excel spreadsheets for an imaginary sales analyst role, or AI’s ability to create a full production schedule for a 60-second video shoot for an imaginary video producer.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 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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Like most fiction, it’s made up of experiences, imagination, ideas, memories, emotions, speculation, knowledge and research.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Original sketches, color swatches and archival images tracing the history of yoga wear — which went from loose to form-fitting — along with rolls of Align fabric offered a visual display of how Align evolved from an idea into a global franchise over a decade.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Best Simple Menorah Originally designed for Areaware, Josh Owen’s solid cast-iron menorah became an instant classic for those in search of a modern menorah.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
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Sabrina Carpenter is set to jump down the rabbit hole and onto the big screen with a new musical adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic Alice in Wonderland.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
11 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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Anmore and Fort Langley — to make up the fictional community.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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SpringHill’s involvement signals a likely retention of the original’s format, with real sports stars playing themselves as clients of the fictional sports agency.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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