as in romantic
having or marked by a tendency to be guided more by ideals than by reality
an idealist attempt to make a go of a mom-and-pop hardware store on Main Street
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dreamer
one whose conduct is guided more by the image of perfection than by the real world
an idealist sees the best in everyone, regardless of how they behave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idealist
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
In the new release, Temple plays idealist scientist Dr. Teddy Paine opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor’s General Rex Strickland — the overseer of a secret research facility dedicated to symbiotes.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Some idealists set out to build a new community from scratch.
—Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealist
Adjective
Labour leader Starmer, though, has taken a realist rather than an idealist approach to the president, putting Britain's foreign policy interests above the strong opposition to Trump in the rank and file of his own party.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
In the new release, Temple plays idealist scientist Dr. Teddy Paine opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor’s General Rex Strickland — the overseer of a secret research facility dedicated to symbiotes.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
Linda’s an idealist and Norma’s a realist.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Some idealists set out to build a new community from scratch.
—Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealist
Adjective
-
Guests can also book romantic dinners in the beachside cabanas at sunset with their toes in the soft, powdery sand.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
The lace inset details add a romantic touch, and the body-skimming midi cut works nicely in a more formal setting.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Set during the Great Depression, this electrifying musical follows two dreamers whose desire for more leads them into legend and danger.—
Staff report,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
Louisa May Alcott’s father, Bronson Alcott, was a Transcendentalist and a utopian dreamer whose grand plans left him unable to provide for his wife and children.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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That 2% isn't just an idealistic goal, however.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Stark, having been elected governor and already well along in his fateful descent from an idealistic man of the people to an entirely corrupt megalomaniac, is on the way to visit his childhood home.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
While Motorola has made progress overcoming some traditional shortcomings of foldables, the phone still feels rather impractical, while still being very cool.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 May 2026
-
However, Burry warned that directly betting against the rally through short selling is risky and impractical for most investors, particularly as bearish trades have become increasingly expensive.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Louisa May Alcott’s father, Bronson Alcott, was a Transcendentalist and a utopian dreamer whose grand plans left him unable to provide for his wife and children.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
-
After the war, the two of them set about establishing a utopian farming colony, based on equality and reclaiming the land for common use.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idealist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealist. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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