1
as in model
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
she is the beau ideal of the dedicated medical professional
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2
as in ideal
the most perfect type or example
Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous architectural creation, Falling Water, is widely regarded as the beau ideal of a building in harmony with its setting
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Recent Examples of beau ideal
The beau ideal of illiberal democracy is, of course, Viktor Orbán of Hungary, who outlined the term in a 2014 speech.
—
Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
At Délice & Sarrasin, a charming French bistro in the West Village, vegans can bide their time in style, enticing new recruits with the beau ideal of meatless haute cuisine.
—David Kortava, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2021
If Teddy Roosevelt was the Harvard beau ideal at the turn of the last century, Mark Zuckerberg is the Harvard man to be in the new millennium.
—William Stadiem, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2016
If Hicks is the beau ideal in today’s MLB, then Miles Mikolas is a throwback to the Roosevelt administration.
—Michael Beller, SI.com, 23 May 2018
There was a time when the beau ideal was to drive your sports car to the track, paint numbers on it, go racing and then drive home.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
At Délice & Sarrasin, a charming French bistro in the West Village, vegans can bide their time in style, enticing new recruits with the beau ideal of meatless haute cuisine.
—David Kortava, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2021
If Teddy Roosevelt was the Harvard beau ideal at the turn of the last century, Mark Zuckerberg is the Harvard man to be in the new millennium.
—William Stadiem, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2016
If Hicks is the beau ideal in today’s MLB, then Miles Mikolas is a throwback to the Roosevelt administration.
—Michael Beller, SI.com, 23 May 2018
There was a time when the beau ideal was to drive your sports car to the track, paint numbers on it, go racing and then drive home.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beau ideal
Noun
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His work is grounded in a three-layer model developed during his time at C4ADS: data management, analysis, and requirements.—
Kody Boye,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
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That sale was followed by the film’s Oscar win, which helped make docs a cornerstone of Netflix’s business model.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their revolutionary ideas about communal love were rooted in radically changing how people relate to one another and the programs inspired by these ideals demonstrated the profound capacity of collective care and solidarity.—
Mickell Carter / Made by History,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
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Luckily, designers are prepared with ladylike jackets with a roomier fit—ideal for pairing with some stirrup leggings and a heel or ballerina.—
Kerry Pieri,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Modeled on an idea from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat, the agency has drawn sharp criticism from leaders of the financial industry and, more recently, from the new Trump administration.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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While Rubio is asserting that Arabs don't have a plan and that Trump's new idea is the only one that exists, the region has long wanted to solve the conflict through the establishment of a separate Palestinian state.—
Iain Marlow Bloomberg News (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Directing over 100 feature film, video and television productions in the last 35 years, Miike is known for cult classics like Audition (2000), Ichi the Killer (2001) and 13 Assassins (2011).—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
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The woody note started making its way into fragrances shortly thereafter, and in 2006, this cult classic was born.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Hailey Bieber, the patron saint of nails, has finally given us the opportunity to copy her manicure without working harder than usual.—
Arancha Gamo,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2025
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The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Oklahoma can open St. Isidore: an online Roman Catholic charter school named after the patron saint of the internet.—
Charles J. Russo,
The Conversation,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And, of course, controlling access from on high is Brittany, the fairest and deadliest of them and played to evil brunette perfection by Susan Ward.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
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After just a few strokes, my brows appeared fluffy, defined, and groomed to natural-looking perfection.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For example, the USDA invested about $6.6 billion to support rural development between 2017 and 2021, but only about $138 million went to tribal communities.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Some of the crimes, which were committed a century ago, mentioned an assailant keeping a house of prostitution — punishable with a $100 fine — a crime that today would be punishable by up to one year in prison and or up to a $1,000 fine in New York, for example.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Related Story In general, Becker said consumers’ intrigue in crystals, manifestation and natural healing is coming through in fashion.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Feb. 2025
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Her violent outbursts may have been manifestations of an undiagnosed mental illness, which Kimberly believes was partly the result of a turbulent relationship with her own mother.—
Lawrence Wright,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near beau ideal
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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