high-minded

adjective

ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd How to pronounce high-minded (audio)
Definition of high-mindednext
1
as in noble
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature high-minded efforts to improve the lives of people who are less fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance she was too high-minded to admit publicly to watching trashy movies, but privately she loved them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 high-minded Considerably more sympathetic to her plight is Melanie Saunders (Graynor), a high-minded acting teacher whose intensive Act One studio Hannah chances upon while researching her favorite young actress, Gracie Thomas (Tavi Gevinson), online. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 June 2026 The markets were launched with high-minded ambitions of using the wisdom of the crowd to forecast future events, and help business leaders and politicians make better decisions. — Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026 Some viewers even felt its liberal use of absurdity in fact grounded the show in the real world compared to the high-minded weepies on daytime, achieving honesty through nontraditional means. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 Hepburn was enamored with the high-minded Ferrer, though some saw him as a puppet master and opportunist. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for high-minded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-minded
  1. noble
  2. arrogant
  3. great
  4. pretentious
  5. high
  6. grandiose
  7. honorable
  8. pompous
Adjective
  • The historic home, situated between Via Rodari and Piazza Roma, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries and takes its name from a noble clan that included Pope Innocent XI, head of the Catholic Church in the late 1600s.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Next weekend’s slate of new releases looks a lot like this week’s leaderboards — a ton of bright contenders who will engage in a noble, if doomed effort to topple the reigning kings.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of noble
Adjective
  • As such, there is a tendency among such countries to view Europeans as arrogant and self-serving, perhaps even neo-colonialist, with a desire to at least maintain, or maybe even strengthen, their position of power.
    — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • James, Lord Dalhousie, the arrogant and ruthless Governor General of British India, who had long coveted the riches of Punjab and the Koh-i-Noor, was triumphant.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Rivera-Vega is suspected of setting the fire and also had been charged with arson causing great bodiliy injury before the woman died.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Starting the election calendar in South Carolina is intended in part to give Black voters a greater voice at the outset of the nominating process.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • By applying a jammy, near-Baduist flow to the sequencing, Zay can cogently dissect 10 ideas in one three-minute song without sounding crowded or, worse, pretentious.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026
  • The Majestic espouses a traditional luxury hotel style without feeling stuffy or pretentious.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of pretentious
Adjective
  • The exterior features unique blue accents and matching blue high-performance brake calipers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • One part of this offensive doctrine is the persistent but unpredictable attacks on tankers leaving the Gulf – so as to keep oil prices high.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of high
Adjective
  • The city is grandiose enough that there are even ways for filmmakers to put their own spin on its more conventional sights and sounds.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Serra’s immersive event, a rapture of colors and shadows, pays fittingly grandiose tribute to an emissary of a legendary cinematic era.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of grandiose
Adjective
  • That work is, in my opinion, as honorable as being a midwife or the kind of doula who helps deliver babies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • My time in the ministry was filled with hundreds of friendships of men and women of all faiths who were faith-filled and honorable.
    — Chick Pritchard, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • Does little Arabella care about going to another stuffy awards dinner with her pompous dad?
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
  • Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Definition of pompous

Browse Nearby Words

highly
high-minded
high-mindedly
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Cite this Entry

“High-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-minded. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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