as in romantic
having or marked by a tendency to be guided more by ideals than by reality
the starry-eyed notion that international sports competitions actually help foster global harmony
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Recent Examples of starry-eyed
But Sexistential, released in March, pushes in the opposite direction, toward starry-eyed excess and abandon.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The film’s plot is thrust in motion when a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, watching as a starry-eyed nurse (Cemre Paksoy) becomes entangled with her mysterious patient (Bruce McKenzie).
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Mourinho, the 63-year-old finally living the dream of managing his boyhood club after a rancorous nine-game stint at the start of his coaching career, celebrating with a starry-eyed kid dreaming of being on the pitch for the first team one day.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Jasmine January gives a sweet, starry-eyed performance as Rosemary, the ever-patient secretary who loves Finch despite his indifference to her feelings.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Carrie Underwood will once again be seated at the judges’ table, having joined the cast in 2025 when Katy Perry signed off after seven seasons, as starry-eyed hopefuls compete for a $250,000 prize and a chance at a recording contract.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Neither will starry-eyed dreams of Venezuelan oil profits.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
This time around, Lily Collins' starry-eyed striver is setting up shop in Rome.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
As a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, a starry-eyed nurse becomes entangled with her mysterious patient.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The film’s plot is thrust in motion when a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, watching as a starry-eyed nurse (Cemre Paksoy) becomes entangled with her mysterious patient (Bruce McKenzie).
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Mourinho, the 63-year-old finally living the dream of managing his boyhood club after a rancorous nine-game stint at the start of his coaching career, celebrating with a starry-eyed kid dreaming of being on the pitch for the first team one day.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Jasmine January gives a sweet, starry-eyed performance as Rosemary, the ever-patient secretary who loves Finch despite his indifference to her feelings.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Carrie Underwood will once again be seated at the judges’ table, having joined the cast in 2025 when Katy Perry signed off after seven seasons, as starry-eyed hopefuls compete for a $250,000 prize and a chance at a recording contract.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Neither will starry-eyed dreams of Venezuelan oil profits.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
This time around, Lily Collins' starry-eyed striver is setting up shop in Rome.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
As a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, a starry-eyed nurse becomes entangled with her mysterious patient.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starry-eyed
Adjective
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The elegant square neckline paired with the drop Basque waist creates a romantic silhouette.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Unrequited romantic feelings activate major cringe as Venus and Saturn align.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bodycon styles can feel restrictive and a little impractical for long sightseeing days, while a relaxed maxi keeps you comfortable and polished from morning to night.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
-
After learning how the family lives, the designer rejiggered the floor plan—moving a staircase, lowering a ceiling, and transforming an impractical formal dining room into a dreamy mudroom entry with custom cabinetry inlaid with bucolic Farrow & Ball wallpaper depicting scenes of farm life.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But, as idealistic and well-intentioned as Remmick might present himself, the vampire will nevertheless take with force what he's not given.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Which is certainly an admirable approach, albeit a rather idealistic strategy in a state of nearly 23 million voters, spread over roughly 800 miles from north to south.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This tracks with early Star Trek’s utopian treatment of technology and its potential as broadly positive for humanity and our progression.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
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The blockaders, led by a charismatic Pacheedaht elder named Bill Jones, had built little utopian encampments throughout the forest, drawing people from all over Canada.—
Robert Moor,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starry-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starry-eyed. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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