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GRE vocabulary

quixotic

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore Q words

extravagantly idealistic and impractical in pursuit of lofty goals

Word origin: From Don Quixote, the idealistic hero of Cervantes's novel.

In a sentence

Quixotic in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing quixotic in a sentence.

His quixotic plan to end poverty in a single year ignored every economic reality.

His quixotic plan to eliminate poverty in a single year ignored every practical obstacle.

Synonyms
idealisticimpracticalvisionaryromantic
Antonyms
pragmaticrealistichardheaded
Usage & nuance

Using “quixotic” well

Quixotic describes lofty idealism untethered from reality. The word derives from Cervantes's deluded knight Don Quixote.

Common questions

Questions about “quixotic

Quixotic (adjective) means extravagantly idealistic and impractical in pursuit of lofty goals
Here is quixotic used in an example sentence: "His quixotic plan to end poverty in a single year ignored every economic reality." Another example: "His quixotic plan to eliminate poverty in a single year ignored every practical obstacle."
Common synonyms for quixotic include idealistic, impractical, visionary, romantic.
Antonyms of quixotic include pragmatic, realistic, hardheaded.
On the GRE, quixotic clusters with idealistic, impractical, visionary, and romantic, opposing pragmatic, realistic, and hardheaded.
Yes. Quixotic is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.