defeatism

noun

de·​feat·​ism di-ˈfē-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce defeatism (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of defeatismnext
: an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat
defeatist
di-ˈfē-tist How to pronounce defeatism (audio)
dē-
noun or adjective

Examples of defeatism in a Sentence

We must not give in to defeatism. We must be optimistic.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their take-your-medicine defeatism from just last month morphed into fast action. — Philip Elliott, Time, 29 Jan. 2026 At its highest points, Carve provides an angry rejoinder to that kind of defeatism. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026 And yet, as the deadline loomed, there were also legitimate reasons to temper such defeatism. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025 Defeating defeatism is at the heart of Kuma’s philosophy. — Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defeatism

Word History

Etymology

defeat entry 2 + -ism

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defeatism was in 1917

Rhymes for defeatism

See All Rhymes for defeatism

Browse Nearby Words

defeat
defeatism
defeatist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defeatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defeatism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

defeatism

noun
de·​feat·​ism di-ˈfēt-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce defeatism (audio)
: an attitude of expecting defeat or of accepting defeat with the belief that further effort would be useless
defeatist
-ˈfēt-əst How to pronounce defeatism (audio)
noun or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on defeatism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defeatism

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