mindset
noun
mind·set
ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 
variants
or less commonly mind-set
plural mindsets also mind-sets
1
: a mental attitude or inclination
politicians trying to determine the mindset of voters
It isn't only the freshness of the fruit that makes breakfast in California restaurants outstanding. It's an attitude, a morning mindset, a desire to start the day in a leisurely, luxurious manner.—
Jane and Michael Stern
Jane and Michael Stern2
: a fixed state of mind
His mind-set does not allow for new situations.
The German military thought they were being honorable, and this wasn't an excuse—this was their complete mindset.—William Vollman
William VollmanExamples of mindset in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Route 66 demands a different mindset.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
This mindset is explored exceptionally well in Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke, which argues that even good decisions can sometimes produce bad outcomes, while poor decisions can occasionally appear successful in the short run.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
That same mindset forced her out of Stanford after roughly a year.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 May 2026
That mindset is exactly why term limits exist in the first place.
—Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
That mindset made her recent partnership with Olay an easy fit.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Guerrier said that mindset has had generational effects on Caribbean communities.
—Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
As an opportunity to reach the top of the pro golf mountain presents itself this weekend, Smalley will be leaning firmly on that mindset, in addition to his consistent play.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 15 May 2026
That mindset would carry him throughout his career.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
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Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
This mindset is explored exceptionally well in Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke, which argues that even good decisions can sometimes produce bad outcomes, while poor decisions can occasionally appear successful in the short run.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
That same mindset forced her out of Stanford after roughly a year.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 May 2026
That mindset is exactly why term limits exist in the first place.
—Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
That mindset made her recent partnership with Olay an easy fit.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Guerrier said that mindset has had generational effects on Caribbean communities.
—Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
As an opportunity to reach the top of the pro golf mountain presents itself this weekend, Smalley will be leaning firmly on that mindset, in addition to his consistent play.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 15 May 2026
That mindset would carry him throughout his career.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mindset
noun
mind·set
variants
also mind-set
: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
