ideological

adjective

ideo·​log·​i·​cal ˌī-dē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce ideological (audio)
ˌi-
variants or less commonly ideologic
ˌī-dē-ə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce ideological (audio)
ˌi-
Synonyms of ideologicalnext
1
: of, relating to, or based on ideology
2
: relating to or concerned with ideas
ideologically
ˌī-dē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce ideological (audio) i- How to pronounce ideological (audio)
adverb

Examples of ideological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Most Europeans go for downplaying of the ideological component. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 While corporate and ideological restructuring has put prominent CBS journalists out of work, Alexander is leaving NBC on good terms. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 While the socialist threat is most ominous in the Democratic party, Republicans are doing themselves no good in this ideological battle by having the federal government take equity positions in private companies. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Many analysts have since viewed that essay as an ideological blueprint for the invasion that followed. — Lidia Pilecky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ideological

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideological was in 1797

Phrases Containing ideological

Rhymes for ideological

See All Rhymes for ideological

Browse Nearby Words

ideography
ideological
ideologist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ideological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideological. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ideological

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ideological

Nglish: Translation of ideological for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All