Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

quixotic

[ kwik-sot-ik ]

adjective

  1. extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. impulsive and often rashly unpredictable.
  3. (sometimes initial capital letter) resembling or befitting Don Quixote ( def ).


quixotic

/ ˈkwɪksəˌtɪzəm; kwɪkˈsɒtɪk /

adjective

  1. preoccupied with an unrealistically optimistic or chivalrous approach to life; impractically idealistic
“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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ܾˈdzپ, adverb
  • quixotism, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ܾ·dzi·· adverb
  • 󲹱-ܾ·dzi adjective
  • half-ܾ·dzi·· adverb
  • ܲqܾ·dzi adjective
  • ܲqܾ·dzi· adjective
  • unܾ·dzi·· adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of quixotic1

First recorded in 1805–15; (Don) Quixote + -ic
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of quixotic1

C18: after Don Quixote
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Lancaster residents have become accustomed to a mayor with proposals that are often grand, and sometimes quixotic.

From

In his marvelous history, “Americans and the California Dream,” Kevin Starr wrote that de Monfras made a secret addendum to his report to his government, with this quixotic plan for a Gallic takeover:

From

To hardboiled political pros, the heartfelt goal of putting a stop to the arming of the Israeli military is apt to seem quixotic and dreamy.

From

Growing revenue was the name of the game, and it took The Times down some strange roads, including a quixotic quest to make the paper smell better.

From

It’s an ignominious tale of woe and quixotic temperament.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Quixotequixotism