DEFEATIST Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

defeatist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of defeatist

as in hopeless

emphasizing or expecting the worst your defeatist attitude is depressing everyone else on the team!

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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

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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

Adjective

Pettus said watching Patterson's progress and seeing her family in a home of their own has been especially meaningful after a period that once seemed hopeless.

— Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Approximately 18% of all Latino high school students have seriously contemplated suicide and 42% of Latino youths reported constantly feeling sad or hopeless, recent congressional studies found.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopeless

Noun

Not a pushover but a practical-minded realist, the chef takes the punches, striking up a booze-smuggling deal with the Americans to keep the orphans living in his restaurant safe.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of realist

Adjective

This time, Michael sounds less idealistic and much more cynical.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Goor and Del Tredici are gearing up to debut their next NBC sitcom, a single-camera workplace comedy starring Jake Johnson as a cynical detective working at a past-its-prime private investigator agency in Hollywood.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cynical

Noun

Williams led the Bears to an NFC North title and a playoff victory last season, but some cynics think the Bears are due for a regression this season.

— Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of cynic

Adjective

With the ongoing Iran war affecting gas prices and other costs staying elevated, Americans overall are deeply pessimistic about the state of the economy and see it as a high priority for the midterms.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Nearly two-thirds of students polled are pessimistic about the job market, a CNBC and SurveyMonkey Quarterly AI and Jobs Survey from May found.

— Jessica Dickler,Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of pessimistic

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defeatism

defeatist

defeatists

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“Defeatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeatist. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defeatist

adjective

noun

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