1
2
3

ideal

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ideal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ideal are example, exemplar, model, and pattern. While all these words mean "someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation," ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

never found a job that matched his ideal

When can example be used instead of ideal?

The synonyms example and ideal are sometimes interchangeable, but example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

children tend to follow the example of their parents

When might exemplar be a better fit than ideal?

The words exemplar and ideal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

In what contexts can model take the place of ideal?

The words model and ideal can be used in similar contexts, but model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

a decor that is a model of good taste

When could pattern be used to replace ideal?

Although the words pattern and ideal have much in common, pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

Example Sentences

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 ideal
Adjective
This speaker is ideal for kitchens or bedrooms to enjoy casual music listening, employ smart home voice control, and set daily alarms. Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 May 2025 And if the fit around the nose isn’t ideal, try one of the other nosepieces included with your purchase—one is bound to feel just right. Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 1 May 2025
Noun
Once anchored in civic virtue and outward-facing ideals, happiness was increasingly treated as a personal feeling — a matter of mood, not meaning. January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 3 May 2025 Though he was known for his progressive ideals, Francis' work may have helped create a further divide among the more conservative and liberal patrons of the Catholic Church. Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
Adjective
  • For stock market investors, the equity risk premium is the theoretical excess return of stocks over risk-free assets to account for market risk.
    , CNBC, 19 May 2025
  • Think of the 60 plus percentage rates advertised in the press as the ceiling or the theoretical maximum reimbursement rates.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Specifically, the best manu jumpers form a perfect 45-degree V with their bodies in the air.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The Shark vacuum has received hundreds of perfect ratings from reviewers who praise it for its lightweight, easy-to-use design and strong suction.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • It’s gone through many changes since, but the core idea of bringing a dozen great amateur bakers together under a big white tent to show off their skills in pastries, breads, cakes, and other baked goods remains reassuringly constant.
    Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
  • What are the building blocks of a brain that can think critically, use tools, or form abstract ideas?
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • The 1985 classic spent two weeks at No. 1 during its original run and remains one of five chart-toppers for the band.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 16 May 2025
  • When the Wires Go Dead: Why Spain’s Train Crisis May Spark a Hydrogen Future In the middle of the day on 28 April 2025, Spain lived a modern replay of the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still.
    Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, legal, or cryptocurrency advice.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The food connoisseur knew her purpose was in the kitchen from an early age and has steadfastly surrendered to that journey ever since.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The green obsidian was also thought to have a symbolic connection to Tollan, a mythical city where the god Quetzalcoatl lived, which was believed to be the ancestral origin of Mexico’s civilizations.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
  • Helios, the Greek god of the sun, and Luna, the mythical goddess of the moon, stand guard at either end of Celestial Park.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Even though the interior usually remains hidden (the chassis isn't a transparent-sided wonder), Falcon's cable management is flawless.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 May 2025
  • Opt for this Laura Geller powder foundation to keep your skin matte and flawless on hot and sticky days.
    Shalwah Evans, People.com, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Toyota's midsize sedan is a best-selling model in its segment that competes with popular rivals like the Honda Accord.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Together, their strengths offer a model for a pope who can shepherd with both mind and heart — faithful to doctrine and fearless in love.
    Case Thorp, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!