high-minded

[ hahy-mahyn-did ]

adjective

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

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

high-minded

adjective

1. having or characterized by high moral principles
2. archaic.
   arrogant; haughty

Derived Forms

• ˌhigh-ˈmindedly, adverb
• ˌhigh-ˈmindedness, noun

Other Words From

• high-minded·ly adverb
• high-minded·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of high-minded¹

First recorded in 1495–1505

Synonym Study

See noble.

Example Sentences

Delegates might start with high-minded rhetoric about coming together and getting along, but they would swiftly pivot to attacking people for perceived differences, usually with weird conspiracy theories.

From Salon

He suffered fools badly, and saw his articles as part of a high-minded battle of ideas.

From BBC

That latter frame is how the media and political elites have defined it all along, and that supposedly high-minded has only served to enable and empower judicial tyranny.

From Salon

The younger ensemble members seem to have wandered in from a 21st century culture unimaginable to the play’s high-minded patriarch.

From Los Angeles Times

In bullet points and numbered sections, the report championed high-minded ideas like accountability and humility.

From New York Times

Related Words

• honest
• noble
• virtuous