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Synonyms

visionary

American  
[vizh-uh-ner-ee] / ˈvɪʒ əˌnɛr i /

adjective

  1. given to or characterized by fanciful, not presently workable, or unpractical ideas, views, or schemes.

    a visionary enthusiast.

    Synonyms:
    impracticable, impractical
    Antonyms:
    practical
  2. given to or concerned with seeing visions.

  3. belonging to or seen in a vision.

  4. unreal; imaginary.

    visionary evils.

    Synonyms:
    chimerical, illusory, fancied
  5. purely idealistic or speculative; impractical; unrealizable.

    a visionary scheme.

    Synonyms:
    unrealistic
  6. of, relating to, or proper to a vision.


noun

plural

visionaries
  1. a person of unusually keen foresight.

  2. a person who sees visions.

  3. a person who is given to audacious, highly speculative, or impractical ideas or schemes; dreamer.

visionary British  
/ ˈvɪʒənərɪ /

adjective

  1. marked by vision or foresight

    a visionary leader

  2. incapable of being realized or effected; unrealistic

  3. (of people) characterized by idealistic or radical ideas, esp impractical ones

  4. given to having visions

  5. of, of the nature of, or seen in visions

"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

noun

  1. a visionary person

"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonvisionary adjective
  • unvisionary adjective
  • visionariness noun

Etymology

Origin of visionary

First recorded in 1640–50; vision + -ary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This decision secures this visionary place of art and encounter for future generations and will help us expand our reach nationally and internationally."

From BBC

Now, eight months after Brian Wilson’s death in June at age 82, a new box set looks back at the era as an expressive outpouring led by the band’s rejuvenated visionary.

From Los Angeles Times

While such entrepreneurs as Mr. Musk and Jeff Bezos are visionaries in their business affairs, their philanthropic efforts have so far been pedestrian.

From The Wall Street Journal

Steinberg's family described him as a "visionary lyricist, devoted husband, loving father, and one of the most influential songwriters of his era".

From BBC

Nice man, met him, always treated as kind of business visionary, and fair enough!

From The Wall Street Journal