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 mythic
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ideal
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
At the time, Elon Musk described it as ideal for handling aggressive city traffic.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
The faith in order and proportion embodied in the Alhambra, the romance of modernity caught in the Eiffel Tower’s lattice of iron—these are not ideas imposed on buildings but ideals that the buildings themselves express, more lastingly than words can.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Adjective
This makes the next couple of nights the ideal time to watch for dazzling aurora displays.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
At the time, Elon Musk described it as ideal for handling aggressive city traffic.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Every step in the biscuit-making process, from measuring to cutting, plays a role, and some common missteps along the way can cause less-than-ideal results.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
The faith in order and proportion embodied in the Alhambra, the romance of modernity caught in the Eiffel Tower’s lattice of iron—these are not ideas imposed on buildings but ideals that the buildings themselves express, more lastingly than words can.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
-
But You fans invested in a theoretical off-screen romance.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The risk for both Milei and Washington is not theoretical.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The 26-year-old was caught offside no fewer than eight times during a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona back in November, many of which after inch-perfect movement from Pau Cubarsi to step up and leave the centre-forward marginally ahead of the defensive line.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
None of our systems is perfect—neither corporate media nor media owned by a single wealthy individual.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The shareholder meetings give the youngest Browns in the sixth and seventh generations, and their distant cousins, a chance to meet and bounce ideas off one another.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
My idea was to do a little ‘maison,’ and to offer a look at what’s behind the brand.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The kitchen is led by partner/chef Charbel Hayek and executive chef Gustavo Montes and will feature sashimi and nigiri, grilled main dishes and other contemporary interpretations of Japanese classics, with occasional nods to South Florida flavors.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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The show, which ran in two six-part series, in 1975 and 1979, was a huge hit in Britain and went on to become a cult classic in the United States.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Sea lines of communication, or SLOCs, are the principal maritime routes between ports used for trade, military or other purposes.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Helen wants him for an off-the-books quest to find a possibly mythical object called the Seven Five Two, and an even more off-the-books quest to find answers about a formative childhood trauma involving the Talamasca.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Given the stakes for project proponents and opponents, and CEQA’s almost mythical status, the campaign for and against the measure could be one of the most contentious ballot battles in the state’s history.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In what was almost a flawless tournament, Delgado was the calming, anchoring presence at the heart of it all.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Overall, the Gemini demo was flawless.—
Steve Kovach,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The system works in bacteria, human cells, and even live tumor models, offering a safer and more precise alternative to traditional techniques.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The model wore two looks that night, including an eye-turning pink two-piece lingerie set with a sparkly bustier and lacy boy briefs.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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