ideal 1 of 2

adjective

ī-ˈdē(-ə)l How to pronounce ideal (audio)
Definition of idealnext
1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea honesty is an ideal entity that has more admirers than practitioners

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2
as in mythic
not real and existing only in the imagination depicts an ideal society in which conflict and privation are unknown

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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

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ideal

2 of 2

noun

1
as in idea
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation she's our ideal of the concerned, caring physician

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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

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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
The advantages of living simply and cheaply At first blush, Brewer wouldn’t seem like the ideal fit in Oman. — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 Buxton did not get an ideal read on France’s fly ball but boasts the sort of premier speed to mask the mistake. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
The annual honor recognizes the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025 But the show is also one of two new documentaries that explore how the creator economy encouraged family vloggers to perform an ideal of perfect American motherhood, sometimes to the detriment of their children’s well-being. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ideal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal
  1. theoretical
  2. perfect
  3. idea
  4. classic
  5. purpose
  6. mythical
  7. flawless
  8. model
Adjective
  • Legacy power grids, water systems and emergency response networks are no longer theoretical.
    — Marty Sprinzen, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The Dutch theoretical physicist, now a professor emeritus at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, has spent much of the past half-century reshaping our understanding of the fundamental forces that knit together reality.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Inside No 9 race: Is Osimhen perfect for Manchester United?
    — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This is perfect for those wanting to add a little spring fun into their life or looking to go into the season with a bang.
    — Celeste Polanco, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of perfect
Noun
  • The basic idea is to start with something large and compact it down for easy transport.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Deporting supposed gang members and Hamas supporters without due process may violate any number of statutes, but forcing oppositionists to defend these people’s rights allows the administration to paint them as defending their ideas.
    — Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • All of them are classics that result in a total five points.
    — Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • No look has to be permanent, and with 2025’s most popular looks leaning into avant-garde classics, taking your hair to a new height is this season’s most palpable trends.
    — India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of classic
Noun
  • The name’s ironic on purpose—the app allows users to create, send, and receive anonymous voice messages in a celebrity’s tone.
    — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
    — Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of purpose
Adjective
  • This relic of constitutional law, which the Supreme Court hasn’t taken seriously since its quiet death in the New Deal era, is more mythical than historical—holding, more or less, that Congress cannot delegate its lawmaking power to another branch of government.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This name originates from a Greek myth. Eunice: Another historic Greek name, the mythical Eunice was the sea-nymph daughter of Nereus and Doris.
    — Lydia Wang, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of mythical
Adjective
  • The framework underneath Blue Prince isn’t flawless, though.
    — Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Starting at right-back but operating for the most part as the right of a three-man defence in possession, his decision-making with and without the ball was almost flawless.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of flawless
Noun
  • The tiered model approach allows developers to select the appropriate balance between performance and cost, with GPT-4.1 Nano being ideal for tasks like classification or autocompletion, and the standard GPT-4.1 model suited for more complex applications.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The model aims to help students live and learn together—making everyone feel welcome, and also helping students navigate the conflicts that inevitably arise in a community where people have different world views.
    — Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of model

Phrases Containing ideal

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idea
ideal
idealism
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Cite this Entry

“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

Nglish: Translation of ideal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ideal

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