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 local graft was Hall’s boss, Fate Thomas, the Davidson County sheriff.
—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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
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 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
Conservatives like to imagine Reagan as the beau ideal of a president who faithfully adhered to their principles, but Trump is the president who has actually done it.
—
Jonathan Chait,
Daily Intelligencer,
23 Feb. 2018
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
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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
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 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
Conservatives like to imagine Reagan as the beau ideal of a president who faithfully adhered to their principles, but Trump is the president who has actually done it.
—
Jonathan Chait,
Daily Intelligencer,
23 Feb. 2018
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beau ideal
Noun
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While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.
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Many of Haaland’s bags are actually Haut à Courroies (HAC), the model that the Birkin is based off, but with a slightly taller and narrower profile.
Noun
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Its influence traveled through a globally recognizable set of products and ideals, all centered on the American Dream.
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This is a comfortable pair of cuffs with a secure attachment, ideal for people with average ankle sizes.
Noun
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Aries March 21 – April 19 The person waiting for your signal may need the clearest version of your idea.
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March 21 – April 19 The person waiting for your signal may need the clearest version of your idea.
Noun
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The first two movies established themselves as genre classics, combining heart-stopping action with futuristic sci-fi that explored the threat of AI bringing about an apocalypse.
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Today, Culinary Hill has grown into a site that’s 1,379 recipes strong, including classics such as sloppy joes and slow cooker meatballs with grape jelly sauce.
Noun
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Only later did her parents learn that Seton is the patron saint of grief.
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Outside, another Pom, named Armand, trots across a massive video marquee, watching over Flamingo Road like a furry patron saint of indulgence.
Noun
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Played to perfection by Robert Picardo, the Emergency Medical Hologram was programmed to save lives and give sass.
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But for many women, the motivation is less about perfection and more about confidence, control, and self-care.
Noun
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Their French 75, which is made with cognac, lemon and muscadet, is a perfect example thanks to a beautiful balance of elegance and ingenuity.
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One example is a joint venture with CDA near the future Route 390 and I-490 interchange next to O’Hare.
Noun
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Your question is a manifestation of handwringing, and so, yeah, a lot of people don’t pay attention to it, and that’s okay, and a lot of people do, and that’s better.
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Meta’s compute business is also the latest manifestation of the circular economy in the AI race, like SpaceX’s recent decision to rent out data center space to Anthropic.
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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