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
For those who’ve forgotten, celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was seen for a time as the Democratic beau ideal, a brawler who could get under Trump’s skin and take the fight to the president like few others could or would.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
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
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
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
For those who’ve forgotten, celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was seen for a time as the Democratic beau ideal, a brawler who could get under Trump’s skin and take the fight to the president like few others could or would.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
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
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
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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Neither of these models seems ideal for the small new town.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
According to Mikus Leghy, the model will be membership based, where seniors can pay a fee to get access to services.—
Sierra Knoch,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Neither is the location of the new stadium ideal -- or what was first envisioned, 12 years ago, as a waterfront facility nearer the Port of Miami or off Biscayne Bay neighboring the Heat arena.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Junior catcher Alexis Turley can attest that Ciesielski, who plays all over the field, is living up to that ideal.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Artists Joshua Flores and Giesi Amaya integrated those ideas into the final product.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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On the night Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis came to see our play, the actor playing Ice had an idea.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Then Buttered Popcorn dethroned it in 1998, bumping the cherry classic from its perch.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
From popular chain restaurants to quick, convenient favorites, plenty of spots will be open on Easter Sunday, serving everything from brunch classics to comfort food staples.—
Doris Alvarez Cea,
Florida Times-Union,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During the Catholic holiday of Palm Sunday, hundreds of pajareros from across the country flock to Mexico City and decorate 10-foot-tall stacks of cages, adorning them with bright flowers, tinsel and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Even the ideology of the group’s patron saint was more complicated than the ACC lets on.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That's the perfection of knowing your hook up – if you that good.—
Nichole Marks,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Let the pork, tomatillos, and some spicy poblano peppers simmer for eight hours until everything has cooked to a rich and tender perfection.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In 2024, for example, the Democratic congressman secured $1 million for a local organization that operates a maternity home for pregnant and new moms between the ages of 12 and 21.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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For example, you're not obligated to buy the car rental company's expensive insurance, regardless of what a car rental salesperson claims.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Call it manifestation, call it delusion (lovingly), call it a coping mechanism for ambition, but dressing for your future self is quietly becoming one of the most powerful styling frameworks of this moment.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Apr. 2026
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For more of the science behind optimism and manifestation, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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