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 2008 setting, which initially seems baffling, ends up being a pointed reference to the last moment when idealism could triumph in America.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
The Middle East is ultimately no place for idealism and lofty ambitions.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Unfortunately, their idealism collapsed as outsiders who didn’t share their values moved in.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025
Rushmore reflected this strength and an American idealism and confidence born both from our victory in the Cold War and a near decade of economic growth.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
The Middle East is ultimately no place for idealism and lofty ambitions.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Unfortunately, their idealism collapsed as outsiders who didn’t share their values moved in.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025
Rushmore reflected this strength and an American idealism and confidence born both from our victory in the Cold War and a near decade of economic growth.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism
Noun
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Some said their businesses aren’t relevant to the bubble concerns, while others expressed optimism about AI’s potential and said they are focused on building products that show it.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Despite the toll Bug exacts, however, Coon is in exceptionally good humor—if with the blinking optimism of a new year in an unstable reality.—
Juan A. Ramírez,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the turnovers that are born of carelessness?—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Straight-up errors, like the errant pass from James Tarkowski that led to Brentford’s opener, or Tim Iroegbunam’s carelessness before their third, have not been common flaws.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off those comments as an example of the president’s frankness.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
8 Dec. 2025
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Their frankness and loyalty are also notable when the call is in.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The simpleness of the look really allowed the Crocs to stand out and make an impression.—
Tara Larson,
Footwear News,
14 Nov. 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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Bulky travel accessories are more likely to be left at home and gather dust in the closet due to their impracticality, but this hanging pouch will suffer no such fate.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Dec. 2025
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There was something freeing about opting into impracticality.—
Junnelle Hogen,
Outside,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Know that conversations deserve deep sincerity.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
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Part of what comes to me, Roxana, is my sincerity and my earnestness.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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