idealist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of idealistnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

idealist

2 of 2

noun

ī-ˈdē-(ə-)list How to pronounce idealist (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of idealist
Adjective
This, in turn, becomes logically reliant on the idealist paradigm of Consciousness as the fundamental lowest common denominator of reality. — Carlo Tortora Brayda, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 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
Noun
The campaign, which has highlighted divides over support for Israel, is a show for moderates against progressives, insiders against outsiders and pragmatists against idealists. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026 Rose is a helper, an idealist desperate for a better world, which for her means decarbonizing the economy by building a better society in the process. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for idealist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealist
  1. romantic
  2. dreamer
  3. idealistic
  4. impractical
  5. utopian
Adjective
  • Morgan developed the test with her longtime collaborator and romantic partner, Harvard psychology professor Henry Murray (Crowe).
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Pike committed the murder over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of romantic
Noun
  • At a time when so many of us were trying our damnedest to avoid the draft, Oliver was an idealistic dreamer whose desire for adventure led him to enlist in the army.
    — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • When veteran producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler offer him a check for $300,000, around $2 million today when adjusted for inflation, the young dreamer says no.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of dreamer
Adjective
  • There still exists in him the hope for a return to his idealistic notion of the box being a portal for dimensional advancement, where diseases could be cured, peace could be achieved, and a techno-utopia might be possible across all worlds.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The series is set in a world under constant surveillance, in which a troubled war veteran and an idealistic Europol agent form an unlikely duo to unravel a tech conspiracy threatening Europe and the foundations of reality, the logline runs.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of idealistic
Adjective
  • Nonlinear editing changed how films are cut; digital cinematography changed how they are shot and reviewed; visual effects and virtual production made once-impractical images possible.
    — Partner Content, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • That would be impractical in Soho and unthinkable in Times Square.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of impractical
Adjective
  • The vision of a utopian domestic future took a strange turn during the Cold War, marrying the breathless excitement of the space age with the existential dread of nuclear annihilation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Some scientists are pushing back against these utopian portrayals.
    — Christopher von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of utopian

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Cite this Entry

“Idealist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealist. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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