idealism
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for idealism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
First recorded in English around 1796, built from "ideal" plus the suffix "-ism".
Full origin of idealism →Frequently asked questions
What does “idealism” mean?
The word “idealism” means the tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be. In plain terms, believing strongly in high principles or a better world, sometimes without enough regard for practical limits; also a specific school of philosophy.
How do you pronounce “idealism”?
“Idealism” is pronounced uh-ih-DEER-lihzm (/ʌɪˈdɪəlɪz(ə)m/ in IPA).
How do you use “idealism” in a sentence?
Here is “idealism” used in a sentence: “Her idealism made her want to fix every problem in the world at once.”
What part of speech is “idealism”?
“Idealism” is a noun.
Where does the word “idealism” come from?
The word “idealism” dates back to around 1796. First recorded in English around 1796, built from "ideal" plus the suffix "-ism".
Is “idealism” a common word?
“Idealism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “idealism” have?
“Idealism” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be.