defeatist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of defeatistnext
as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst your defeatist attitude is depressing everyone else on the team!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defeatist

2 of 2

noun

as in realist
one who emphasizes bad aspects or conditions and expects the worst we told her that if she was going to be such a defeatist, she should keep her thoughts to herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defeatist
Adjective
At times, Eisenkot has tried to outflank Netanyahu on the right, accusing the prime minister of adopting defeatist positions. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 Still, Joe’s criticism of Nathan’s negative energy is fair, particularly when his defeatist attitude is contrasted with Aesha’s absolute gameness. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 This defeatist sentiment is wrong and dangerous. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 11 May 2026 This defeatist thinking is misguided and assumes action will be futile. — Jim Costa, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026 Job seekers can game this defeatist death-spiral by recalculating their measure of success. — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025 China’s internet regulators have launched a campaign targeting online content that promotes negativity, pessimism, or defeatist attitudes and are urging netizens to report posts that violate these new standards. — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 The prime minister’s far-right political allies, on the other hand, have accused the chief of staff of leading a weak and defeatist approach that is preventing victory over Hamas, the officials said. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Paige is energetic, determined, and inquisitive where Kevin is defeatist, sad, and zhlubby. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 Frank was trying to set realistic expectations for the season, but made comments that were interpreted as defeatist. — Jay Harris, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Hegseth largely declined to provide specifics, instead denouncing critics as defeatists, questioning their patriotism and insisting the mission had broad public support. — Nik Popli, Time, 29 Apr. 2026 The mood just feels a little defeatist right now. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatist
  1. hopeless
  2. realist
  3. cynical
  4. cynic
  5. pessimistic
  6. pessimist
Adjective
  • Corruption was endemic, and the country’s deeper troubles—its poverty, its social inequities, and the hopeless conditions that drive millions of Nepalis to emigrate for work—endured, laying the kindling for last year’s explosion.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, love in a hopeless place is worth the price of admission.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopeless
Noun
  • The final batch continues to focus on the generations of the Buendía family living amid political infighting in Macondo while building up to the magical-realist masterpiece’s tragic end.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ever the realist, Cox does know and freely admits his athlete’s distance preferences.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of realist
Adjective
  • And his cynical dealings in Washington foreshadowed a toxification of US politics that now runs rampant.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The cynical explanation is that the Treasury Secretary is playing politics.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of cynical
Noun
  • That the earnestness the genre requires galls us cynics, who love to hide in our books, away from all those pesky bodies in the first place?
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Questions about whose interests Infantino is serving have developed beyond average cynics who tend to suspect this type of thing.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of cynic
Adjective
  • Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Panama’s representative, sounded a pessimistic note.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But multiple polls this month have shown Americans feel pessimistic about the war and their economic troubles.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of pessimistic
Noun
  • Some pessimists think Chalamet may be vulnerable to poaching given recent headlines, but others reject the idea.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But even a pessimist then wouldn’t have predicted a plummet in production to this extent two years later.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of pessimist

Browse Nearby Words

defeatism
defeatist
defeatists
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Cite this Entry

“Defeatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeatist. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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