idealistic

adjective

ide·​al·​is·​tic (ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈli-stik 

ˌī-dē-

1

: of or relating to idealists or idealism

2

a

: believing in ideals

idealistic activists

b

: not realistic or practical

a naïve and idealistic dreamer

idealistically

(ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌī-dē-

adverb

Synonyms of idealistic

• romantic
• impractical
• idealist
• utopian

Examples of idealistic in a Sentence

idealistic pacifists who thought that tyranny could be toppled by rational argument and mutual understanding

Recent Examples on the Web

The series chronicles the decades-long relationship between Bailey’s bright-eyed and idealistic young congressional staffer Tim and Matt Bomer’s stern State Department official, Hawk. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025

Cowley’s disillusioned but fundamentally idealistic cohort had an unexpected response. —Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025

Sinead Matthews also provides plenty of comic relief as Wigwam, Sarah’s well-meaning but idealistic hippie neighbor whose domestic bliss unravels in the unlikeliest circumstances. —Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025

But, as Rensch came to find out, life in an idealistic commune often doesn’t end in spiritual happiness. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for idealistic

• anachronistic
• animalistic
• antagonistic
• antiphlogistic
• behavioristic
• cannibalistic
• capitalistic
• characteristic
• collectivistic
• deterministic
• ethnolinguistic
• expressionistic