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quixotically

quixotically

9.9
In a very hopeful way that is not realistic
  • adverb
  • /kwɪkˈsɒtɪkli/
translation icon : quijotescamente
  • While most graduate deans have striven quixotically to maintain the ideal of the four-year Ph.D., reality has veered sharply away.

His mind was racing, but quixotically, perhaps within moments of buried memory, pushed itself forward.

Examples

  • It is as if they acknowledge the impossibility of the ekphrastic task at the same time that they quixotically assert the worthiness of the endeavor.

    Academic text (2017)
  • His mind was racing, but quixotically, perhaps within moments of buried memory, pushed itself forward.

  • "Real shame that you are quixotically fighting against some bizarre argument that you've concocted in your mind that nobody in reality actually advanced, isn't it?"

    Blog text (21)
  • (n47) Kawara, obviously aware of that risk, quixotically tries to maintain this personal, long-distance relationship and direct the work's final destination.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Enraged at how the joy of my daily run has been stolen from me by a fight that did not happen (witnessed because I quixotically turned left on Twenty-first Street), I want to rid myself of this growing anger.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Sometimes criticized for promoting African-American separatism, these schools – some offering full curricula and others simply intensive weekend and vacation programs – brought communities together around institutions operating on shoestring budgets and designed, quixotically it may have seemed, for maximum accessibility regardless of income.

    Academic text (2006)
  • She always approaches problems quixotically, believing that every challenge can be solved with a little creativity.

  • Despite the criticism, he quixotically pursued his dream of opening a bookstore in the small town.

  • The team's plan to change the world seemed quixotically ambitious, yet they were determined to make a difference.

Synonyms

absurdly
vsquixotically
23 5.0

In a way that does not make sense or is much too extreme

is motivated by noble but impractical ideals rather than mere absurdity
unrealistically
vsquixotically
4 4.7

In a way that is not likely to happen or work

is more driven by lofty visions and impractical optimism
idealistically
vsquixotically
1 7.4

In a way that follows strong beliefs about how things should be and ignores what is practical

is more extreme ignoring practicality and realism for romantic goals
impractically
vsquixotically
1 6.1

In a way that does not work well in real life

is more about idealistic aims that ignore real-world feasibility

Antonyms

68 3.9

In a way that accepts the true facts and what is possible

12 2.5

In a way that works in real life

How Idealistic

quixotically
9.9
romantically
6 4.0
naively
13 4.4

Surface Forms

quixotically positive

Morphology

quixotically = quixotic (transparent) = quixotic + ally

The adverb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'quixotic' using the standard adverbial suffix '-ally', so its meaning is directly predictable from the adjective.

Etymology

The word quixotically comes from the Spanish knight Don Quixote, who famously attacks windmills because he thinks they are giants. So, to act quixotically is to be very brave and idealistic but also 'unrealistic' or 'impractical'.