high-mindedness
1
8.1
- noun
- /haɪˈmaɪndədnəs/
- Formal
- Despite facing criticism, his high-mindedness led him to advocate for justice and equality.
Examples
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While courage is obviously critical to the warrior, high-mindedness is a more encompassing virtue.
Academic text (1999) -
You can be applauded, to a degree, for your high-mindedness, but hoisting ourselves on our own petard for the sake of "our principles" is ridiculous.
Blog text (18) -
Axelrod agreed, but also saw a political benefit to the high-mindedness.
Blog text (13) -
Its reports exhibit high-mindedness, expose genuine problems, and propose solutions that require ever greater quantities of administration.
Academic text (1990) -
And both of us, overjoyed and thankful, kissed each other's hands, commending each other on our high-mindedness.
Fiction book (1997) -
I suspect that while many Californians congratulate themselves on their high-mindedness, North Dakotans congratulate themselves on a low unemployment rate.
Blog text (25) -
It seems that there might be statesmen or military leaders who embody high-mindedness or magnanimity in this Aristotelian sense.
Academic text (1999) -
Pappy O'Daniel was displaying rectitude and high-mindedness when that egghead you work for was still messin' his drawers.
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Her high-mindedness inspired those around her to strive for greater ethical standards.
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The organization was known for its high-mindedness, always prioritizing moral principles over profits.
Synonyms
340
4.3
Being honest and doing what is right
33
5.6
Belief in following high moral goals even when not practical
1
5.6
Being honest and doing the right thing
1
6.6
Being kind and honest in a way people respect
1
6.9
Being honest and doing what is right
1
7.4
A quality of being honest and fair that earns respect
A quality of thinking and acting with high moral standards and fairness
How High-Minded
Surface Forms
Morphology
high-mindedness = high-minded (semi-transparent) = high + mind + ed + ness
The noun is a regular formation from the adjective 'high-minded', but the adjective itself uses a figurative sense of 'high' rather than a fully literal one.
Etymology
The word high-mindedness comes from high ('above') and mind ('thought'), with -ness making it a quality, so it literally means having 'high' or 'noble' thoughts. That's why someone with high-mindedness tries to live by strong moral ideas.