IDEALISM Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

idealism

noun

Definition of idealism

as in optimism

the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty youthful idealism romantic idealism

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of idealism Critically, roughly 70% of the increase in clean-energy spending over the past five years has come from net importers of fossil fuels — nations motivated not by climate idealism but by energy security. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 June 2026 Then there’s the return of Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy’s Cold War hero, which suggests there is a global audience eager for old-fashioned All-American valor and idealism. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026 His performance balances youthful idealism, simmering rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, particularly as the character becomes increasingly consumed by the injustices unfolding around him. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Davis rooms with his childhood friends Kel (Nicholas Duvernay), who quits medical school in the premiere to pursue his dream of acting, and Josh (Jack Martin), a journalist whose idealism and sense of ethics do not extend to using his media CEO dad to land a gig as a PA on a news show. — Alison Herman, Variety, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for idealism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism

Noun

That instinct to lean into life with curiosity, optimism, and kindness is, perhaps, America's greatest attraction.

— Divia Thani, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
It's also shipped Isaac 0 to homes and businesses across California since its February launch, so the firm isn't entirely alone in its optimism.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Definition of optimism

Noun

The childishness of his expressions infantilized a genuinely vicious regime, painting it as more peevish than petrifying.

— Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
The actor relishes all aspects of Dahl’s childishness, and the humanity within the beast emerges in small moments.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026

Definition of childishness

Noun

On the ceiling, a suede Scalamandré wallcovering delivers the sensory impact of leather—without the impracticality.

— Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
Our current system denies new talent a livelihood, and the impracticality of such training, leads me to refrain from training them.

— Ted Hope, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026

Definition of impracticality

Noun

But in her concentration, Porsha fumbled her words, which made the Faithfuls, who were desperate for a crumb of evidence so early in the game, suspicious of her sincerity.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Several participants told The Washington Post that they were impressed with the sincerity and humility of the AI firm’s staff in discussing both ethical and spiritual implications.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 29 June 2026

Definition of sincerity

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“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of idealism

noun

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