English Synonyms and Antonyms

ideal, tho something of the original meaning still appears when in theological or philosophical language we
speak of the ideas of God. The present popular use of idea makes it to signify any product of mental
apprehension or activity, considered as an object of knowledge or thought; this coincides with the primitive
sense at but a single point--that an idea is mental as opposed to anything substantial or physical; thus, almost
any mental product, as a belief, conception, design, opinion, etc., may now be called an idea. Compare
FANCY; IDEAL.
Antonyms:
actuality, fact, reality, substance.
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IDEAL.
Synonyms:
archetype, model, pattern, prototype, standard. idea, original,
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
170

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An ideal is that which is conceived or taken as the highest type of excellence or ultimate object of attainment.
The archetype is the primal form, actual or imaginary, according to which any existing thing is constructed;
the prototype has or has had actual existence; in the derived sense, as in metrology, a prototype may not be the
original form, but one having equal authority with that as a standard. An ideal may be primal, or may be
slowly developed even from failures and by negations; an ideal is meant to be perfect, not merely the thing
that has been attained or is to be attained, but the best conceivable thing that could by possibility be attained.
The artist's ideal is his own mental image, of which his finished work is but an imperfect expression. The
original is the first specimen, good or bad; the original of a master is superior to all copies. The standard may
be below the ideal. The ideal is imaginary, and ordinarily unattainable; the standard is concrete, and
ordinarily attainable, being a measure to which all else of its kind must conform; as, the standard of weights
and measures, of corn, or of cotton. The idea of virtue is the mental concept or image of virtue in general; the
ideal of virtue is the mental concept or image of virtue in its highest conceivable perfection. Compare
EXAMPLE; IDEA.
Antonyms:
accomplishment, action, doing, fact, practise, achievement, attainment, embodiment, incarnation, reality, act,
development, execution, performance, realization.
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IDIOCY.
Synonyms:
fatuity, foolishness, incapacity, stupidity. folly, imbecility, senselessness,
Idiocy is a state of mental unsoundness amounting almost or quite to total absence of understanding.
Imbecility is a condition of mental weakness, which may or may not be as complete as that of idiocy, but is at
least such as to incapacitate for the serious duties of life. Incapacity, or lack of legal qualification for certain
acts, necessarily results from imbecility, but may also result from other causes, as from insanity or from age,
sex, etc.; as, the incapacity of a minor to make a contract. Idiocy or imbecility is weakness of mind, while
insanity is disorder or abnormal action of mind. Folly and foolishness denote a want of mental and often of
moral balance. Fatuity is sometimes used as equivalent to idiocy, but more frequently signifies conceited and
excessive foolishness or folly. Stupidity is dulness and slowness of mental action which may range all the way
from lack of normal readiness to absolute imbecility. Compare INSANITY.
Antonyms:
acuteness, brilliancy, common sense, sagacity, soundness, astuteness, capacity, intelligence, sense, wisdom.
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IDLE.
Synonyms:
inactive, inert, slothful, trifling, unoccupied, indolent, lazy, sluggish, unemployed, vacant.