optimism

op·ti·mism | \ ˈäp-tə-ˌmi-zəm

Definition of optimism

1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world

2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome expressed optimism about the future of the business the optimism of cheerleaders

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Examples of optimism in a Sentence

Both of them expressed optimism about the future of the town. The early sales reports are cause for optimism. There is growing optimism that the problem can be corrected. He maintains a sense of optimism, despite all that has happened.

Recent Examples on the Web Investor optimism in Uber is starting to build on better profitability prospects into 2021, Wedbush says. — WSJ, "Tech, Media & Telecom Roundup: Market Talk," 21 Jan. 2020 At 86-years-old, Ginsburg is now a four-time cancer survivor, and remains a beacon of optimism in the impossibly tough times in American politics. — Mekita Rivas, refinery29.com, "It’s Official: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Is Now Cancer-Free," 10 Jan. 2020 But instead of fracturing beneath it, the bluegrass quintet coalesced, centering their writing on the loss of optimism in the world. — oregonlive, "Live music in Portland: 25 January concerts you won’t want to miss," 30 Dec. 2019 By the 1960s, an effective combination of chemotherapies had been assembled, renewing optimism in the fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — the most common cancer in children — and many other cancers. — Gwen Nichols, STAT, "Precision medicine has a blind spot: children with cancer," 30 Dec. 2019 According to some film critics, Day embodied post WWII optimism in America. — Halley Bondy, NBC News, "Gone but not forgotten: 13 trailblazing women we lost in 2019," 26 Dec. 2019 But while there's reason for optimism in Louisville, there's also cause for concern. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Ashton Hagans' defense is a problem. How does Louisville basketball match up vs. Kentucky?," 26 Dec. 2019 As bad as this season looks for the Warriors, there is reason for optimism in the bay area. — Graham Hill, CNN, "Steve Kerr: Golden State Warriors were 'wiped out' after NBA Finals," 12 Dec. 2019 Farmers, who have been hurt by Chinese retaliatory tariffs against the United States, had reported a surge of economic optimism in November, according to an index compiled by Purdue University. — Katie Rogers, New York Times, "Trump Inflames the Trade Wars, Again," 3 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'optimism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

26 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Optimism.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimism. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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More Definitions for optimism

optimism

noun