as in optimism
the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty
youthful idealism romantic idealism
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Recent Examples of idealism
The students with aspirations to high office knew that idealism and ambition put off a lot of people.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
As Mrie recounts, Syrian democratic idealism curdled over time into infighting and worse.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Think about Saturn’s boundary-setting, groundwork-loving nature being applied to Neptune’s ability to energize your artistic impulses and idealism.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
King’s approach suggests that Black–Jewish–Palestinian solidarity is not naïve idealism.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
As Mrie recounts, Syrian democratic idealism curdled over time into infighting and worse.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Think about Saturn’s boundary-setting, groundwork-loving nature being applied to Neptune’s ability to energize your artistic impulses and idealism.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
King’s approach suggests that Black–Jewish–Palestinian solidarity is not naïve idealism.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism
Noun
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Let optimism gather friends around shared goals.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is known for his enthusiasm and optimism.—
Mike Kaye
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kerry Doyle, the former top ICE attorney during the Biden administration, said Mazzara’s comments show a shocking carelessness about the potential for harm against both the general public and the officers he was employed to protect.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Head coach Sean Miller went right up to him afterward, apparently angry at his carelessness that could’ve cost the Longhorns the game.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fulmer also delivers some comedic moments as Alycia, whose fast-talking frankness can be quite funny, albeit tone-deaf at times.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Her emotional frankness has also translated into measurable commercial impact.—
Amy Francombe,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The simpleness of the look really allowed the Crocs to stand out and make an impression.—
Tara Larson,
Footwear News,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The actor relishes all aspects of Dahl’s childishness, and the humanity within the beast emerges in small moments.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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Cove, on West Houston Street, does not mark an especially obvious step into maturity or anything narratively pat like that, because McGarry’s cooking and his businesses have never really had so much as a hint of childishness to begin with.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Our current system denies new talent a livelihood, and the impracticality of such training, leads me to refrain from training them.—
Ted Hope,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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Bulky travel accessories are more likely to be left at home and gather dust in the closet due to their impracticality, but this hanging pouch will suffer no such fate.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Some have gone further, publicly chewing khat on the campaign trail, a gesture that signals solidarity and which has become something of a ritual in Kenyan electoral cycles, with aspiring leaders competing to demonstrate the sincerity of their commitment to khat farmers and traders.—
Joseph Maina,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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The sincerity of this aim can sometimes run counter to the sharp, excruciatingly realistic satire that’s previously been the show’s bailiwick, and sometimes still is.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Gilbert’s colloquial style, once a source of great pleasure, has tipped into new territory—an ingenuousness that blends guru and disciple, mother and child.—
Jia Tolentino,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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