utopian

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utopian" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idealized or perfect society, often in discussions about social, political, or economic theories. Example: "The author's vision of a utopian society included equality, peace, and harmony among all people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two of them had a bond with Pink Floyd that dated back to their early days at Cambridge, where Thorgerson had ended up after an early childhood in Potters Bar, and time spent at the famously utopian Summerhill boarding school in Suffolk.

The Guardian - Music

Even if you're being generous, Wood's vision of an alternative can feel like a utopian work in progress.

The Guardian

It has a utopian idea at its heart.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet personal privacy already looks like the rock on which one utopian vision of technology will founder.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was a utopian, an idealist, but in practice anti almost everything: nothing lived up to his ideals.

The Guardian

Ruth There is a danger of utopian myth in this, rather like the Labour left and shop steward movement in the 1960s.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hers is not aspiring to be grounded and worldly; it is utopian, in search of perfect forms".

The Guardian - Arts

It believed that striking at a universally accepted global enemy, the US, would lead to the destruction of "hypocrite" unbelieving regimes across the Muslim world in the short term and, eventually, the creation of a new ill-defined and utopian religious rule.

The Guardian

This may sound utopian, but it is only such thinking that can confer on the protests a truly emancipatory dimension.

The Guardian

He seemed at times to promote an almost utopian vision, except his utopia actually worked.

The Guardian - Books

There has been much focus on the utopian society that the men formed during their time underground.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utopian" to describe visions or plans that are highly ideal but may not be practical in reality. Ensure that the context clearly indicates the aspirational or unrealistic nature of the concept.

Common error

Avoid using "utopian" to describe plans that are realistically achievable in the near future. The term implies a level of idealism that often contrasts with practical implementation.

Linguistic Context

The term "utopian" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that embodies an ideal vision or a perfect society. However, it often carries the connotation of being impractical or unrealistic. As Ludwig AI points out, the word is usable in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utopian" functions as an adjective to describe ideal, yet often impractical, visions or societies. It's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from news to academic discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While it expresses aspiration, it often carries the nuance of being unrealistic. Related terms include "idealistic" and "visionary", but these don't always capture the same sense of impossibility. When using "utopian", it's important to consider whether the context implies genuine aspiration or a critique of impracticality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idealistic

Focuses on the adherence to ideals, sometimes without regard to practicality.

visionary

Emphasizes the forward-thinking and imaginative nature of the idea.

ideal

Highlights the concept of perfection or the best possible scenario.

perfect

Stresses the flawless and complete nature of the concept or society.

idyllic

Implies a peaceful, picturesque, and perfect setting or situation.

unattainable

Focuses on the impracticality and impossibility of achieving the ideal.

impractical

Highlights the lack of feasibility in a real-world context.

quixotic

Suggests an idealistic but ultimately unrealistic or impractical approach.

dreamlike

Emphasizes the surreal and often unrealistic nature of the vision.

otherworldly

Implies that the vision or concept is beyond the realm of ordinary experience.

FAQs

How can I use "utopian" in a sentence?

You can use "utopian" to describe an ideal society or vision that is often impractical or unrealistic. For example, "The author envisioned a utopian society free from poverty and conflict."

What's the difference between "utopian" and "idealistic"?

"Utopian" often implies an impractical or unattainable ideal, while "idealistic" suggests a strong belief in positive ideals that may still be pursued realistically.

What can I say instead of "utopian"?

Alternatives include "idealistic", "visionary", or "perfect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to describe a real-world project as "utopian"?

Describing a real-world project as "utopian" suggests that its goals are highly ambitious and perhaps not entirely achievable in practice. This can be accurate if the project aims for radical, transformative change.