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
Such breathless idealism sounds otherworldly today.
—
Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Many Jews from Europe and the Middle East moved to the new state out of idealism or desperation.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Many Jews from Europe and the Middle East moved to the new state out of idealism or desperation.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism
Noun
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The ensemble sings of hope and brighter days, but the optimism pairs strangely with the backdrop of our present reality.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Oct. 2025
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That’s where Logano’s optimism fades.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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That variation isn’t a byproduct of carelessness or confusion.—
Mark Hay,
Popular Science,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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 film’s ever-so-slightly absurd sincerity is nothing if not brazen.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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In the film’s version of events, the fate of the plane and everyone on it comes down to Nobody’s ability to manipulate the relative sincerity of Japan’s Deputy Minister Shinichi Ishida and Seo Go-myung.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
17 Oct. 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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But this removal from war’s true horrors brought a bit of naivety to the movement.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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