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
Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
And the call isn’t just coming from idealists this time – the prestigious science journal Nature is also now arguing for a global rail revival – not as a nostalgic nod to the past, but as a pragmatic cornerstone of climate strategy.
—Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 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
Some idealists set out to build a new community from scratch.
—Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
And the call isn’t just coming from idealists this time – the prestigious science journal Nature is also now arguing for a global rail revival – not as a nostalgic nod to the past, but as a pragmatic cornerstone of climate strategy.
—Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealist
Adjective
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Universal’s romantic drama, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, has grossed $45 million in North America and $79 million globally against a $25 million budget.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
5 Apr. 2026
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In honor of their fourth wedding anniversary, the couple—who had a secret wedding ceremony in April 2022—enjoyed a romantic dinner date at Bourbon Steak New York in New York City.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And who could blame these romantic dreamers for wanting to cast aside the surly bonds of Earth to visit the pale beauty of our cratered satellite?—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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As depicted in the play, the Lehman family had its high achievers and its dreamers, its capitalists and its liberals.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Les' idealistic vision is to use this breakthrough for the good of humanity.—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
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Of funny, idealistic, scary-smart workaholics — coming up on three generations of them — who want to make things better by making things better.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But the brief, costly, impractical service still became one of the most romanticized episodes in American history—a legacy wildly disproportionate to its lifespan.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
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The creator notes the concept suits cabins, RVs, and off-grid structures particularly well — anywhere grid ties are impractical or expensive.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But there will be no stopping progress, only a utopian, Fairey-like hope that those who come will be inspired to keep and nurture the magical qualities of the place.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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The duo’s follow-up project Los Frikis, a drama based on true events about group of punk rockers in ’90s Cuba who cultivate a utopian refuge from society after deliberately infecting themselves with HIV, was similarly lauded.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idealist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealist. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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