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ideal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ideal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ideal are example, exemplar, model, and pattern. While all these words mean "someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation," ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

never found a job that matched his ideal

When can example be used instead of ideal?

The synonyms example and ideal are sometimes interchangeable, but example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

children tend to follow the example of their parents

When might exemplar be a better fit than ideal?

The words exemplar and ideal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

In what contexts can model take the place of ideal?

The words model and ideal can be used in similar contexts, but model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

a decor that is a model of good taste

When could pattern be used to replace ideal?

Although the words pattern and ideal have much in common, pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ideal
Adjective
The base is also ideal for wider feet, so your toes won’t get squished. Madison Yauger, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025 As summer nears its end and cooler temperatures hint at an arrival, garden lovers in the Bay Area have an ideal window to prepare for a successful fall season. Tina Chen, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
With respect to gender roles, for instance, the aggressive zombies incarnate a warped and rotted form of traditional masculinity, a perversion of the warrior ideal. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025 This will likely test your ability to confront reality as opposed to the denial surrounding your romantic ideals. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
  • This score reflects real-world usage rather than theoretical task analysis.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The resulting mysteries and their solutions only get more creative once the gang is back together, even dipping into theoretical science and thought experiments as the basis of his mind-bending stories.
    Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, this Saturday would be a perfect time to visit the exhibition as the Spirit of ’45 Living History Day and Swing Dance will be taking place, starting at 2 p.m.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Finally, humor can help communicate that not every contribution has to be perfect to be valuable.
    Paul Boross MBE, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In those decades, Americans were fighting over some big ideas.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Wellness festivals not going well Jewel had come up with an idea for a wellness festival alongside Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of Inclusion Companies.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Gunn, after all, got his start in the mid-1990s at Troma, the indie studio behind the cult horror comedy The Toxic Avenger and several other low-budget classics.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • White jeans have remained a timeless summer classic through every decade.
    René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Now, these speedy gadgets have found a new purpose as a fun beach accessory for scuba diving and snorkeling trips.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025
  • It was once used as an anticonvulsant and sedative, but today is primarily used for cleaning, manufacturing and agricultural purposes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Finding leaders who operate successfully across these tensions seems theoretical, borderline mythical at best.
    Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The redistricting was then lampooned in a political cartoon, showing the districts in the shape of a winged mythical beast.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That means not just planning a flawless itinerary, but also investing in travel accessories that provide comfort and security throughout the trip.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The organizations winning right now aren’t those with flawless rollouts.
    Farah Ayadi, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This refers to unauthorized influence over the model’s behavior, decision boundaries or access mechanisms.
    Wendy Chin, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • That’s as far as the similarities to those production models go, though.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

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