idealistic
Dreaming of perfection
Idealistic describes someone guided by ideals rather than practical considerations—believing in how things should be rather than accepting how they are.
An idealistic young activist envisions sweeping change; an idealistic proposal may be admirable but difficult to implement.
The word can be complimentary or gently dismissive, depending on whether the speaker values principle over pragmatism: She was too idealistic to last in politics.
Impractically pursuing lofty goals
- unrealisticLacking basis in reality
- impracticalNot suited for use
- romanticConducive to love
- innocentFree from moral wrong
unworldly · credulous · gullible · trusting · simplistic · inexperienced · ingenuous · unsophisticated
Strongly desiring achievement
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- dreamerOne given to fantasies
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- loftyImpressively high or noble
high-minded · starry-eyed · pursuit · striving · elevation · excellence · self-improvement · determination
Imaginative planner of futures
- egalitarianEquality principle supporter
- utopiaImagined perfect society
- perfectionistOne demanding flawlessness
- harmoniousPleasingly in accord
pacifist · commune · collectivist · cooperative · paradise · nirvana · perfectibility · brotherly
Having strong moral beliefs
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
- righteousMorally good, justified
- honorableHaving high moral standards
upright · conscientious · scrupulous · incorruptible · high-minded · noble · upstanding · uncompromising
Concerned with others' welfare
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- humanitarianHelper of suffering people
- philanthropicDevoted to human welfare
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
charitable · generous · caring · altruism · big-hearted · public-spirited · do-gooder · crusader
Friendly without romance
- transcendentalistBeliever in intuitive knowledge
- rationalistOne guided by reason
- metaphysicalBeyond the material realm
- abstractCondensed version of text
theoretical · conceptual · pure · forms · essentialist · absolutist · universalist
quixotic
Impractically pursuing lofty goals
- unrealisticLacking basis in reality
- impracticalNot suited for use
- romanticConducive to love
innocent · unworldly · credulous · gullible · trusting · simplistic · inexperienced · ingenuous · unsophisticated · childlike
ambitious
Strongly desiring achievement
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- dreamerOne given to fantasies
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
lofty · high-minded · starry-eyed · pursuit · striving · elevation · excellence · self-improvement · determination · empowerment
visionary
Imaginative planner of futures
- egalitarianEquality principle supporter
- utopiaImagined perfect society
- perfectionistOne demanding flawlessness
harmonious · pacifist · commune · collectivist · cooperative · paradise · nirvana · perfectibility · brotherly · sisterly
principled
Having strong moral beliefs
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
- righteousMorally good, justified
honorable · upright · conscientious · scrupulous · incorruptible · high-minded · noble · upstanding · uncompromising · purist
selfless
Concerned with others' welfare
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- humanitarianHelper of suffering people
- philanthropicDevoted to human welfare
benevolent · charitable · generous · caring · altruism · big-hearted · public-spirited · do-gooder · crusader · activist
platonic
Friendly without romance
- transcendentalistBeliever in intuitive knowledge
- rationalistOne guided by reason
- metaphysicalBeyond the material realm
abstract · theoretical · conceptual · pure · forms · essentialist · absolutist · universalist
- idealisticutopian, quixotic, dreamer, visionary, starry-eyed
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- philosophical termsSocratic, Kantian, Cartesian, Aristotelian, dialectical
- politicalconservative, liberal, moderate, centrist, leftist
- ArthurianKing Arthur, Camelot, Excalibur, Merlin, Lancelot
- creative traitscreative, imaginative, inventive, innovative, original
idealisticrealistic
True to life
pragmatic · practical · down-to-earth · hardheaded · hard-nosed
idealisticcynical
Doubting human goodness
jaded · disillusioned · world-weary · suspicious · mistrustful
idealisticself-serving
Benefiting oneself primarily
ignoble · amoral · unprincipled · opportunistic · materialistic