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idealistic

idealistic

7.4
Having strong beliefs about how people should behave to make the world better
  • adjective
  • /ˌaɪdiəˈlɪstɪk/
translation icon : idealista
  • She is an idealistic dreamer, always imagining a world filled with peace and equality.

Examples

Synonyms

grand
vsidealistic
  • Formal
419 3.7

Having high moral or intellectual aims

is more about aiming at moral ideals than sheer impressiveness or scale
sublime
vsidealistic
  • Literature
43 6.7

Extremely beautiful or great in a way that makes people feel wonder

centers on aspiring to noble principles rather than evoking awe or beauty
lofty
vsidealistic
  • Formal
39 5.1

Showing high moral ideas or aims that seem admirable and often not realistic

emphasizes inner aspiration to high moral values rather than status or appearance
high-minded
vsidealistic
  • Formal
9 6.8

Someone who has strong moral beliefs and high ideals

is about aiming at noble principles rather than general lofty tone
exalted
vsidealistic
  • Formal
1 7.7

Ideas or feelings that seem noble and inspiring

leans toward aspiring to noble principles rather than formal or lofty presentation
noble-minded
vsidealistic
1 6.6

A person who cares very strongly about what is right and fair

is about aspiring to noble principles rather than merely having guiding character
elevated
vsidealistic
  • Literature
6.7

High in moral, intellectual or artistic value

focuses on aspiring to noble principles rather than just valued expression

Antonyms

507 2.6

About how something works in real life rather than in ideas

283 3.7

Having sensible ideas about what can be achieved

208 6.5

Not trusting people to have good intentions and expecting them to act for themselves

64 6.3

Being practical and realistic when solving problems

23 6.1

Liking money and things more than ideas or feelings

How Idealistic

utopian
16 7.9
high-minded
  • Formal
9 6.8
idealistic
7.4
practical
507 2.6

Surface Forms

idealistic positive

Morphology

idealistic = ideal (transparent) = ideal + istic

Direct adjectival formation from 'ideal' meaning 'relating to or characterized by ideals', easily inferred by learners who know 'ideal'.

Etymology

Idealistic comes from ideal, which comes from the old Greek idea meaning 'perfect form' or 'idea'. So when someone is idealistic they have high or 'perfect' ideas about how life should be and often aim for a better world, which is why the word describes hopeful, value-driven people.