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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ideal
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Two guest rooms — ideal for Kamal and Riva’s twin daughters — connect through a former sleeping porch with a fireplace and built-ins, creating flexible space for an office, hobby room or hangout area.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Faith Salie, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Studies in the 1960s and 1970s looked at how the spread of radio and television may have been exposing people to ideals about small families.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Adjective
Growing between 4 and 15-feet tall, mountain laurel plants make ideal foundation shrubs; however, dwarf varieties, like ‘Elf’ and ‘Tinkerbell,’ can also be kept in roomy and well-draining pots.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Two guest rooms — ideal for Kamal and Riva’s twin daughters — connect through a former sleeping porch with a fireplace and built-ins, creating flexible space for an office, hobby room or hangout area.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Noun
The ideals that are outlined in the Declaration of Independence are timeless.
—Faith Salie, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Studies in the 1960s and 1970s looked at how the spread of radio and television may have been exposing people to ideals about small families.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
-
Banerjee compared it to choosing a route based on common travel paths rather than drawing a theoretical straight line between two cities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Part of its problem is theoretical.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
She was caught on video making a gun symbol with her fingers, putting it to her neck, and pulling the imaginary trigger.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
7 Dec. 2025
-
The book explains the problem, the kids’ science solution (be sure it’s not stuck on boats or anything that goes in the water), and an imaginary solution.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Its beaches, such as Playa Alicia and Playa Dorada, are perfect for sun and sea lovers, while its proximity to Cabarete, a surfer's paradise, makes this locale even more attractive.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
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Young boys, some no older than five or six, showed off their marksmanship by throwing reeds like spears with perfect accuracy, and the men demonstrated their precision with bow and arrow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Dec. 2025
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Its Taste of Michigan gift set ($90) includes 375-milliliter bottles of Fustini’s Traverse City cherry balsamic, west Michigan blueberry balsamic, Michigan apple balsamic and basil olive oil plus ideas on how to use them.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Today, bakers across France riff on the classic by adding everything from tahini to cherries and peanuts.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
The Shawshank Redemption Selected by Dan Lin Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption is a timeless classic that reflects where our film culture is headed.—
Time,
Time,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
That purpose might come from family, work, creativity, advocacy, faith or friendships.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
-
The company added that Atlas’s athletic feats, including handstands and backflips, serve a practical purpose by helping develop balance, agility, slip recovery, and endurance needed for real-world industrial environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Simitthus, too, was designed for surveillance, discipline, and punishment—a place where the metaphysical machinery of incarceration was already in operation.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Nestled deep within the twisting metaphysical narratives and international wandering of Lux is a quick trip back to home base.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
This coming year, ATX TV Festival will be taking viewers back to the fictional town of Dillon, where Friday Night Lights first enamored hearts on screen 20 years ago.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The fictional wedding of the century falls into chaos in the teaser trailer for A24's upcoming film The Drama.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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