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
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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
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Mercury aggravates Jupiter, intensifying your vulnerability in creative or romantic situations.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile this is an excellent day to enjoy the company of partners, spouses and close friends, because romantic vibes are sweet and special.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What began in 1923 as a temporary billboard for a housing development has since transformed into one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, drawing dreamers, tourists and hikers alike into its orbit.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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There’s still a chance Bosa could unite with big brother, Joey Bosa, and dreamers will fantasize for Myles Garrett, but, alas, this pre-draft story is about unproven prospects.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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Edward Montoya plays Fingal as an idealistic young writer, fresh out of Harvard, with little practical experience but a lot of ability and gumption.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Scientists typically test candidates one by one, making large-scale discovery impractical.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
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And it’s set in a snowy wintertime, which would have been impractical and expensive in live action, but pays all kinds of benefits in terms of staging and mood.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The red planet is the apple of Elon Musk’s eye, with utopian concepts for a Mars settlement to go along with SpaceX’s more tangible work on a massive rocket to actually fly there.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2026
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The public discussion still swings between utopian promise and apocalyptic dread.—
Barry R. Davis,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idealist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealist. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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