as in optimism
the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty
youthful idealism romantic idealism
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Recent Examples of idealism
Washington’s address lacks Jefferson’s idealism about equality and inalienable rights.
—
Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
There is Ned’s rich-kid idealism and the lengths Esmerelda goes to in her efforts to undermine him.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Adapted from an autobiographical novel by Frank Courtes, the film is in the trenches of Paul’s personal experience while retaining the perspective that most people who turn to Jobbing do so out of desperation rather than idealism.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
The absence of corruption, scandal, self-dealing and cronyism makes this a revitalizing break from real-world concerns, without in any way veering into sappy idealism.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
There is Ned’s rich-kid idealism and the lengths Esmerelda goes to in her efforts to undermine him.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Adapted from an autobiographical novel by Frank Courtes, the film is in the trenches of Paul’s personal experience while retaining the perspective that most people who turn to Jobbing do so out of desperation rather than idealism.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
The absence of corruption, scandal, self-dealing and cronyism makes this a revitalizing break from real-world concerns, without in any way veering into sappy idealism.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism
Noun
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This frustration is clear among the public, with few expressing any optimism or excitement for the election when CNN spoke to them on the street earlier this week.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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The country’s stocks, meanwhile, are set for their biggest monthly gain since 2018, a surge which Bloomberg tied to optimism over China’s AI advances as well as easing tensions with the US.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Earhart was a complicated woman, highly skilled as a pilot yet with a tendency toward carelessness.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
17 Sep. 2025
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Disappointing to see talent overshadowed by carelessness.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Collier, who was injured during the playoff series, read from a prepared statement that shocked everyone watching—if not for its contents, for its frankness.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Though Roan is a total force on stage, polished and magnetic while trouncing around a set made to look like an illustrated fairytale castle, the show is not without her signature frankness.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The gesture’s lack of dignity, its childishness, its pettiness, are completely in character.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The earnestness and sincerity that characterized so much music from the late ’90s were overtaken by the sneering rage of nu metal.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
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And yet, Lightfoot’s stubborn purity is surely why listeners recognize his sincerity in memorializing such a tragic event.—
John U. Bacon,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In today’s digital world, jobs that require teens to disconnect from screens and interact face-to-face mean more time engaged in the real world around less time extricated in virtual naivete.—
Rachel Greszler,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, there’s an endearing naiveté to Hechinger’s performance.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gilbert’s colloquial style, once a source of great pleasure, has tipped into new territory—an ingenuousness that blends guru and disciple, mother and child.—
Jia Tolentino,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Yes, there is naivety to his play at times — that is inevitable for one so young, and was evident again when he was booked for a dive just before the interval.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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There’s less of a child-like sense of innocence and naivety.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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