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

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high-minded British  

adjective

1. having or characterized by high moral principles

2. archaic arrogant; haughty

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Related Words

See noble.

Other Word Forms

• high-mindedly adverb
• high-mindedness noun

Etymology

Origin of high-minded

First recorded in 1495–1505

Example Sentences

It was once the job of “sleazy” tabloids to destroy lives with lurid gossip that titillated the public but lacked public interest in the high-minded sense.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the work of their Attic cousins is celebrated for being high-minded and idealistic—all those ripped bodies, gods and goddesses—theirs, with its focus on everyday individuals and events, can be seen as prosaic.

From The Wall Street Journal

It threatens to drown out their own more high-minded projects.

From BBC

It’s difficult to imagine a worse addition to this oil-and-water mix of high-minded nonconformist cranks and hard-toiling middle-class settlers than a capitalist sybarite.

From Los Angeles Times

Before his apparent demise, David and Juno had been heading down separate paths regarding their company — he more high-minded, she more mercenary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• honest
• noble
• virtuous