1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
honesty is an ideal entity that has more admirers than practitioners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
depicts an ideal society in which conflict and privation are unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in perfect
being entirely without fault or flaw
for years she's been searching for a man who would make an ideal husband, and she's still looking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in idea
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
she's our ideal of the concerned, caring physician
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in classic
the most perfect type or example
the Taj Mahal in India is generally regarded as the ideal of Mogul architectural beauty
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3
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
his ideal is to make enough money so that he can retire at 50
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ideal
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
All these offers expire on February 23, so get to finding your ideal bed partner today.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
The company’s brand has already suffered greatly under Musk’s leadership, with droves of potential buyers being pushed away by his inflammatory rhetoric and embrace of far-right ideals.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Adjective
Plus, the resulting soot piled up at the bottom of your oven is less than ideal.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
All these offers expire on February 23, so get to finding your ideal bed partner today.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
The safety of employment doesn’t seem to factor into Anthropic’s ideals.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
The company’s brand has already suffered greatly under Musk’s leadership, with droves of potential buyers being pushed away by his inflammatory rhetoric and embrace of far-right ideals.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
-
Palmer’s goal from open play, which involved theoretical No 10 Fernandez carrying the ball out wide, full-back Cucurella underlapping him, and Palmer finishing in the box, summed that up.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The partnership is shifting from theoretical research to the project development phase, with a focus on delivering a 50 MW commercial pilot.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Finally, the researchers did another version of the original test but used imaginary grapes instead of juice, with similar results.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Unfortunately, the new love in your life may be imaginary and only after your bank account.—
C. A. Bridges,
Florida Times-Union,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Social media can intensify the belief that the day needs to look perfect, which raises pressure and fear of embarrassment or rejection.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There are paintings and sculptures and intricate masks from far-off lands; laboratory and astronomical equipment; second-hand furniture and mirrors; clothing (perfect for early Halloween shopping) and… well, the list goes on and on, covering nine departments and 90,000-plus square feet of shopping.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 1906, efforts to combine the desert landscapes led to a proposal to make New Mexico and Arizona into a single state, but Arizona voters overwhelmingly rejected this idea and continued to fight for their own statehood.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
It's also linked with ideas about women and their sexuality and consumption.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Movie buffs might recognize Schilthorn Piz-Gloria, the iconic mountain peak on the Jungfrau skyline that served as the filming location of the James Bond classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
From the kitchen comes an equally elegant menu of classics – think gorgeous local steaks, terrines and roasted Amish chicken plated with cockles – imagined with creativity and a deep understanding of European technique seen through a Tennessee lens.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nevertheless, laid low by cancer and the claim battle, Karen Powers continued on in the job that had provided her with a lifelong sense of meaning and purpose.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
SpaceX plans to use its Starship system for the task — the largest spacecraft and rocket system ever built, and the vehicle that Musk says is purpose-made for taking people to Mars.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under this clash of Venus and Uranus, a blind spot could impact your literal plans or more metaphysical beliefs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Suffice to say that Zi’s condition may not be a physical issue or even a mental one but, rather, a metaphysical state.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The difference between documentary approaches and fictional approaches to a musical figure — at heart, there’s no difference at all.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But in a first for Marvel, Abdul-Mateen II was not there as himself, but rather in character as Simon Williams to discuss the fictional Wonder Man movie that is central to season one of the Disney+ show.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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