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
The Clinton years and the 1990s, defined by continuous domestic economic growth and headline-grabbing scandals, were a time when liberal idealism was so strong that Aaron Sorkin wrote a show about it.
—
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Once that’s taken care of, The Diplomat uses their united presence to conjure The West Wing’s hope-core fantasy of liberal political idealism while also laughing at it.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Much of the earlier idealism about asylums had soured as the 19th century ended, explained Bazar with the National Museum of Psychology.
—Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
The music at that year’s festival embodies that burning idealism.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Once that’s taken care of, The Diplomat uses their united presence to conjure The West Wing’s hope-core fantasy of liberal political idealism while also laughing at it.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Much of the earlier idealism about asylums had soured as the 19th century ended, explained Bazar with the National Museum of Psychology.
—Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
The music at that year’s festival embodies that burning idealism.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism
Noun
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Mia's courage, optimism and grace touched the lives of the entire Husky community.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Yet investors bought the dip Friday on optimism that the shutdown might end relatively soon.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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By hinting that his business was the victim of shape-shifting saboteurs, Westergaard distracted from the more prosaic story about the carelessness of his staff.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Irankunda’s goal was the result of Niko Sigur’s carelessness with the ball in Canada’s own half, and Luc de Fougerolles’ inability to clear the ball as well.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But despite its frankness, the show is more interested in ambition than in sexuality or gender relations.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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The recording of that release as depicted in the documentary is the balancing light to the overwhelming dark Osbourne experienced in his later years, a series of illnesses, hospitalizations, frustrations and ceaseless pain shown with unblinking frankness.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 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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There was something freeing about opting into impracticality.—
Junnelle Hogen,
Outside,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Suddenly, sincerity felt like a fresher approach to a contemporary political story—more interesting, more unexpected, and more aligned with my artistic ethos.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Even with the emotional whiplash of Edward's shifting moods, Pattinson channels a sober sincerity that's almost magnetic.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 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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There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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But this removal from war’s true horrors brought a bit of naivety to the movement.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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