optimistic
adjective
op·ti·mis·tic
ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik 
: of, relating to, or characterized by optimism : feeling or showing hope for the future
an optimistic outlook
an optimistic economic forecast
a person with a hopeful, optimistic nature
I'm feeling optimistic about our chances.
The streets in question were magnificent commercial thoroughfares, … brimming with heavy streams of eager life—young, fresh, optimistic.—
Theodore Dreiser
Theodore Dreiser
optimistically
adverb
thinking optimistically about the future
an optimistically upbeat forecast
Optimistically, he anticipates that nuclear weapons … will never be used in war again …
—Russell F. Weigley
Russell F. Weigley
Examples of optimistic in a Sentence
the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic
Recent Examples on the Web
His 2023 strikeout rate collapse to near 11 percent is a clear outlier compared with surrounding seasons in the 23-24 percent range, although Steamer is more optimistic than other systems and projects a lower K rate.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Weber is optimistic that cities and companies will rise to the challenge.
—Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026
And yet, high school students remain remarkably optimistic about their future employment prospects.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Betting on youth is not without its risks, but the Lions are optimistic that their young cohort of players can grow into their roles for years to come.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimistic
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Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Weber is optimistic that cities and companies will rise to the challenge.
—Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026
And yet, high school students remain remarkably optimistic about their future employment prospects.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Betting on youth is not without its risks, but the Lions are optimistic that their young cohort of players can grow into their roles for years to come.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimistic
Cite this Entry
“Optimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimistic. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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