a seemingly quixotic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a seemingly quixotic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea, goal, or action that appears idealistic or impractical, often in a romantic or noble sense. Example: "His plan to eradicate poverty in a year seemed quixotic, but he was determined to make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

(for triathlon training) or into a seemingly quixotic Senate race.

The New York Times

One opposition bastion, Sucre, has mounted a seemingly quixotic campaign to be named the country's capital.

The New York Times

On Sunday, Mr. Liu plans to announce his candidacy for mayor — a seemingly quixotic bid, given his troubles, but one that he says is still winnable.

The New York Times

It was a seemingly quixotic plan, but Hartinger understood the key decision makers within the government and sought to play them against one another.

The New York Times

But his law license was suspended long ago, and his chief legal work is now a seemingly quixotic lawsuit against a ring of burglars who stole art from his house and caused the death of his Abyssinian cat.

The New York Times

Before and after exile, their modest Moscow apartment was a command center of sorts from which a seemingly quixotic, but in many ways successful, war against Soviet authoritarianism was waged.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

His tenacity led him on a six-year seemingly quixotic quest suing his own regulator, the FDIC, over thousands of terrible subprime loans Beal bought after it seized a failed Pritzker-family-owned bank in 2001.

Forbes

In the past decade and a half, gambling has transformed the area, mainly through the seemingly quixotic efforts of a man named Rick Carter, who is a client of Billy's and was a schoolmate of mine in Gulfport.

The New Yorker

If you attended a Bernie Sanders rally this summer, when his seemingly quixotic Presidential campaign began gathering force, you might have noticed a few surprising things about the crowd.

The New Yorker

One of the greatest challenges to Gassendi's atomism from an internal perspective is the seemingly quixotic nature of his search for empirical foundations for atomism.

SEP

And, taking the past as a prelude to what he may do after Tuesday's showing, Sanders was clear back then that his seemingly quixotic campaigns had a greater mission than simply winning.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a seemingly quixotic" to describe endeavors that appear unrealistic or overly idealistic at first glance, but may possess an underlying nobility or romantic appeal. This often implies a contrast between appearance and potential reality.

Common error

Avoid using "a seemingly quixotic" when you only intend to convey that something is unrealistic or impractical. The term carries connotations of idealism and romanticism inspired by Don Quixote, so ensure this nuance aligns with your intended meaning. Consider "apparently impractical" if you just want to communicate the lack of feasibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a seemingly quixotic" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that, on the surface, appears impractical or idealistic, much like the character Don Quixote and his famous tilting at windmills. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally accepted and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a seemingly quixotic" is a phrase used to describe something that appears idealistic or impractical, often with a hint of admiration or romanticism. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable. It is commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in formal and business settings. To ensure accuracy in your writing, consider alternatives like "an apparently idealistic" or "a superficially impractical" to capture specific nuances, and bear in mind that the term "quixotic" carries connotations of nobility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an apparently idealistic

Focuses on the idealistic nature, highlighting that it may only be apparent and not necessarily real.

a seemingly unrealistic

Focuses on the unrealistic nature, without necessarily implying nobility or romance.

an apparently impractical

Focuses on the fact that impracticality is evident but can be deceiving

a superficially impractical

Emphasizes that the impracticality is on the surface and might not be a fundamental characteristic.

an outwardly impractical

Similar to 'superficially impractical', indicating that the impracticality is visible.

a deceptively unrealistic

Suggests that the lack of realism may be hidden or not immediately obvious.

a superficially idealistic

Emphasizes that the idealism is only on the surface

a purportedly visionary but impractical

Highlights the claim of being visionary, while still acknowledging the impracticality.

an ostensibly impractical

Highlights that the impracticality is stated or appears to be true, but might not be.

a seemingly romantic but unattainable

Adds the dimension of 'romantic' to the original phrase

FAQs

How can I use "a seemingly quixotic" in a sentence?

You can use "a seemingly quixotic" to describe a plan, goal, or endeavor that appears idealistic, impractical, or unrealistic, but may still be admirable. For example: "His attempt to save the local library was a "a seemingly quixotic" gesture, but it inspired the community."

What's a good substitute for "a seemingly quixotic"?

Alternatives include "an apparently idealistic", "a superficially impractical", or "a seemingly unrealistic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "a seemingly quixotic" imply about the chances of success?

The phrase implies that the chances of success are low, as the endeavor appears impractical or unrealistic. However, it also suggests that the person undertaking the task is driven by idealism or a romantic vision, which may make the effort worthwhile regardless of the outcome.

Is it appropriate to use "a seemingly quixotic" in formal writing?

Yes, "a seemingly quixotic" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing ambitious or idealistic projects. However, ensure that the context aligns with the nuanced meaning of the phrase, which includes a blend of impracticality and nobility.