high-minded

adjective

high-mind·​ed ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd 

: marked by elevated principles and feelings

also : pretentious

too high-minded to read any fiction

—Alfred Kazin

high-mindedly adverb

high-mindedness noun

Synonyms

• big
• chivalrous
• elevated
• gallant
• great
• greathearted
• high
• lofty
• lordly
• magnanimous
• natural
• noble
• sublime

Examples of high-minded in a Sentence

high-minded efforts to improve the lives of people who are less fortunate

she was too high-minded to admit publicly to watching trashy movies, but privately she loved them

Recent Examples on the Web

If that high-minded argument doesn’t work, however, consider this: if Republicans adjourn Congress so Trump can make recess appointments, Democrats will unfortunately be far more likely to do the same at the next opportunity. —Chris Coons, TIME, 9 Dec. 2024

They were incorporated into America’s often confused sense of itself as a nation built upon red-blooded masculinity and upon high-minded righteousness. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

There’s a real tension running throughout between high-minded sci-fi and outright melodrama. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

At Gucci Osteria high-minded fashion and high-minded fare converge at a singular address. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

high-minded

adjective

high-mind·​ed

ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd

: having or expressing noble ideas and feelings

high-mindedly adverb

high-mindedness noun