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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Recent Examples of idealism
The problem is that your idealism is aroused and you might be tempted to give away the farm.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
This is the same political culture that perforated Hogg’s own political maturation — one where the stringent structures of establishment politics’ demands of loyalty ring hollow and moral idealism is a necessity.
—Maximo Bratter, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Ehrenreich suggests that Israel’s response to the events of October 7 has rendered nonviolent resistance a mere relic of idealism, and armed resistance necessary for survival.
—Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Today, the Bra, as Nguyen calls it, is an institution imbued with that puckish idealism.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
This is the same political culture that perforated Hogg’s own political maturation — one where the stringent structures of establishment politics’ demands of loyalty ring hollow and moral idealism is a necessity.
—Maximo Bratter, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Ehrenreich suggests that Israel’s response to the events of October 7 has rendered nonviolent resistance a mere relic of idealism, and armed resistance necessary for survival.
—Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Today, the Bra, as Nguyen calls it, is an institution imbued with that puckish idealism.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for idealism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idealism
Noun
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But in an exchange before reporters before the dinner got underway, both leaders expressed optimism that their success in Iran would mark a new era in the Middle East.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 July 2025
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If the Western frontier defined American optimism in the 19th century, the suburban frontier defined it in the 20th.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
7 July 2025
Noun
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On the contrary, there’s a kind of sincerity to his reverence for beauty, for the erotic as art.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 July 2025
-
Corenswet plays this youthful version of the Man of Steel with a sincerity that channels Gary Cooper more than Christopher Reeve.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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This is the result of naivete: Who would want to hurt little old us?—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
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The secret is that Spike’s know-nothing naivete encourages us to see the world through the eyes of someone who’s new to every part of it.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The novel explores the line between age and consent, naivety and vulnerability and the space between.—
Hattie Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
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Her vulnerable performance evokes Bridget’s dizziness and intelligence, and the commingling of naivety and jadedness that made Pretty Woman’s Vivian appealing.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idealism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idealism. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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