idealism

Noun

Meaning

The quality or state of being ideal.

Conception of the ideal; imagery.

The system or theory that denies the existence of material bodies, and teaches that we have no rational grounds to believe in the reality of anything but ideas and their relations.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

high-mindedness noble-mindedness romanticism ideal hope confidence nobility dream happiness brightness enthusiasm dignity expectation perfection encouragement

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Antonyms

depression dung crud bottom reality domain

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Hypernyms

nobility grandeur nobleness magnanimousness impracticality philosophical doctrine

Hyponyms

romanticism quixotism

Related terms

idealistic idealist perfectionism idealistically

Phrases with the word

historical idealism metaphysical idealism monistic idealism blind idealism epistemological idealism philosophy of idealism

Examples

Any idealism is a proper subject for art. Lafcadio Hearn

No period of history has ever been great or ever can be that does not act on some sort of high, idealistic motives, and idealism in our time has been shoved aside, and we are paying the penalty for it. Alfred North Whitehead

Idealism increases in direct proportion to one's distance from the problem. John Galsworthy

Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism. Carl Jung

Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive. William F. Buckley

Much that passes as idealism is disguised hatred or disguised love of power. Bertrand Russell

Close letter words and terms

idealise idealised idealiser idealist idealistic idealistic person