IDEAL Synonyms: 301 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ideal 1 of 2

adjective

ī-ˈdē(-ə)l

Definition of ideal

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imaginary

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

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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

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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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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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

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

Imagine being handed a blank sheet of paper and invited to create your ideal Swiss mountain residence. — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 In dogs and cats, BCS is measured from 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated, 9 being morbidly obese and 5 being ideal. — Will Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026

Noun

Joan, on the other hand, has taken the ideals of her scientist father (John Malkovich) to absurd lengths. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Despite their ideal of maintaining separate identities, Sarah’s sensibilities are slowly encroaching on Len’s space. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ideal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal

Adjective

The measurements showed relatively strong emission from the single crystal, consistent with theoretical predictions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Planning for a theoretical catastrophe can lead clients in unexpected directions.

— Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Adjective

The wealth tax opponents have applied the age-old technique of mustering superficially plausible, but largely imaginary, consequences of passage.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The genre gave him considerably more freedom to invent architectural settings, mixing classical ruins, waterways, and figures into elaborate imaginary landscapes.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

The Perfect Prescription is Spacemen 3’s masterpiece, an imperfect record made by one of the last holistically perfect groups of the 20th century.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
The home office that completes this level offers a perfect spot for working from home.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of perfect

Noun

Giving Americans $1,000 or $5,000 invested in a technology index is a straightforward idea; The source and use of the funds will likely be of great debate.

— Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Both examples demonstrate how local champions and an existing source of funding can help turn a lifesaving idea into reality.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of idea

Noun

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister An eerie fable that seems to take place across and outside of time, The Bog Wife is already a classic of the modern bog-core genre.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Its Lotus and Talisman collections, alongside solitaires and diamond classics, are being developed as recognizable signatures that can be worn, layered and collected over time.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of classic

Noun

Combined with its co-founders' pledge to donate 80% of their equity and an employee donation matching program, roughly 20% of Anthropic's shares will be dedicated to public purposes, excluding any additional shares added later.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Future deployments Placing the geothermal plant on top of a natural hydrothermal vent was a one-time test for purely research and demonstration purposes, Redd said.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Adjective

The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Gascón will play Manuela, a teacher in an elite school, and Ituño the the role of Evita, the personal secretary to the prime minister of the series’ fictional country.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The series takes place during the fictional two-term Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fictional

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“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideal. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ideal

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of ideal

adjective

noun

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On 'Idyll' and 'Ideal'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

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Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

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Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

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Games & Quizzes