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
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 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 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
Noun
The mood just feels a little defeatist right now. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatist
  1. hopeless
  2. realist
  3. cynical
  4. cynic
  5. pessimistic
  6. pessimist
Adjective
  • The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
  • The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
Definition of hopeless
Noun
  • Syd, bless her, as well as Ayo Edebiri, is the cautious realist in that partnership.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Any realist would tell you Ukraine would fall.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Definition of realist
Adjective
  • His willingness to move to Rio de Janeiro upon taking the job endeared him to the cynical public, as did his decision to call up Neymar to his squad to quieten the noise the forward’s potential exclusion would have brought with it.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Against the run of play, the Atlas Lions won a free kick near the corner of the box after Luc De Fougerolles was booked for a cynical challenge.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of cynical
Noun
  • The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of cynic
Adjective
  • The survey is an indicator of companies foreseeing good conditions minus those feeling pessimistic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Recent polls show majority of voters are pessimistic about the economy and a lasting peace deal with Iran.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Definition of pessimistic
Noun
  • However, that’s looking at it from the pessimist’s point of view.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Utah seems to have found the midpoint between the optimist’s opinion of Trocheck and the pessimist’s and paid accordingly.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 1 July 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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