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Synonyms

high-minded

American  
[hahy-mahyn-did] / ˈhaɪˈmaɪn dɪd /

adjective

  1. having or showing high, exalted principles or feelings.

    Synonyms:
    scrupulous, idealistic, ethical, fair, honest, principled

high-minded British  

adjective

  1. having or characterized by high moral principles

  2. archaic arrogant; haughty

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See noble.

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of high-minded

First recorded in 1495–1505


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Forward guidance has high-minded objectives: making the Fed more transparent and accountable and giving markets the information they need to adapt to future policy shifts without undue surprises.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

That dynamic may partly account for why other high-minded millennial businesses haven’t fared well.

From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026

The opera offers a look at how the Civil War ended with high-minded statesmanship.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026

I want to be very high-minded about this.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2025

The tone of that entry seems lofty, high-minded, but in it I detect a whiff of fatalism.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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