nonideal

adjective

non·​ide·​al ˌnän-ī-ˈdē(-ə)l How to pronounce nonideal (audio)
-ˈī-ˌdē(-ə)l
: not ideal
especially : not exactly right for a particular purpose, situation, or person
nonideal circumstances
nonideally adverb

Examples of nonideal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In recent weeks, though, Americans have followed a nonideal pattern: Those seeking boosters have far oustripped those getting first shots—evidence of the persistent obsession over who needs more protection, rather than who has not yet gotten any at all. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2021 The reality is that many of the squeaky wheels tend to be nonideal clients. Darrell Amy, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 But scarcity could prompt people to use the tests in nonideal ways, as my pharmacist was verging on advising me to do. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2021 Perhaps in response to the nonideal economic release, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) rolled over RMB 600 billion worth of medium-term lending facilities (MLF) that came due today, in a sign of continuing policy support. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021 Today was different—even with the drizzly, nonideal conditions. Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonideal was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near nonideal

Cite this Entry

“Nonideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonideal. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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