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

Gordon, who was having a lackluster camp, played behind his pads, which is ideal for a bigger back like himself. — Omar Kelly august 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 As for readers in our Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana regions, August is the ideal time for securing oxtails. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

Sasa takes on a rape case that strikes close to home, while his friend Kalle defends a client in a gang trial that tests his ideals. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Women whose bodies don’t align with the ideal don’t enjoy the elevated status that social media confers on small-bodied pregnant women. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ideal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideal

Adjective

There is a theoretical possibility that a team taking too long over five simultaneous substitutions could be forced to play with six for a while, which could be fun.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Errors reach combat The risks are no longer purely theoretical.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Adjective

Just before the pandemic, Manhattan’s MCC Theater staged a show called All the Natalie Portmans, about a gay Black teenage cinephile who envisions the actor as a kind of manic pixie imaginary friend.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Near the end of the story, Gardner pledges to kill his imaginary son to spare him war’s toll, but backs out upon his wish to be transformed into a noble soldier.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

Members of the search-and-rescue team who helped save the friends say the area is extremely treacherous and potentially dangerous even in daylight and perfect conditions.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
There is no perfect way to create player eligibility for a prospect ranking.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of perfect

Noun

Those ideas say some people are superior to others, and the inequality that exists in the world around us reflects those innate differences, and inequality is a good thing, and a necessary thing, and the only real way to organize social life.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Instead of gathering a group to generate ideas aloud, where the first strong opinion tends to anchor everyone else's thinking, brainwriting has each person privately jot down ideas before the group reconvenes to build on them.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of idea

Noun

Setting the film on the Canadian frontier rather than the American sets it apart from its peers, and the more languid pacing and character-driven plotting continue to distinguish it as a mannered classic.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, the actor famous for originating the role of Ash in Sam Raimi’s 1981 horror cult classic reiterated that he’s retired from playing the role, following his starring three-season run in Starz’s Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-’18).

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of classic

Noun

Officers have been accused of using the technology to track people in their families and personal lives rather than for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Its sturdy purpose is to guide and tow larger vessels through locks and busy lanes.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of purpose

Adjective

That Dante lived during both the 13th and 14th centuries — and that Tosches’ movements as his novel’s protagonist take place at the start of the 21st century — means nothing in Schnabel’s meta-metaphysical realm.

— A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
The war on language is more metaphysical than just the policing of proper social justice terminology, Williams argues.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Anything seemed possible in medical science breakthroughs, from repairing a fictional astronaut to reconstructing a real-life ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
The fictional microstate Elgaland-Vargaland begins as an artistic game but evolves into a powerful lens on borders and identity.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of fictional

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of ideal

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of ideal

adjective

noun

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Phrases Containing ideal

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On 'Idyll' and 'Ideal'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

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

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

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The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes