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
And in today’s economy, Wherry said consumers should try to move away from the mindset that financial hardship is self-caused or self-inflicted.
—William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Research has also shown that a change in mindset can re-circuit the brain to handle stress more efficiently.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Saving our bodies from disaster is only half of the survivor’s mindset.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
Such groups have long been used to being hypervigilant, but that mindset is something Atkin sees spreading in our time.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
As cost-of-living pressures continue, shoppers are adopting a cost-per-wear mindset—prioritizing durability and steady performance over lower initial prices.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
That mindset fits the way his rookie season played out.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Many voters didn’t grow up thinking of horror as serious cinema, and that mindset doesn’t change quickly.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Soft skills, a propensity to learn key hard skills, genuine effort and a growth mindset can all potentially separate someone who’ll learn and adapt quickly from someone who’s completely unprepared for the job from Day 1.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
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William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Research has also shown that a change in mindset can re-circuit the brain to handle stress more efficiently.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Saving our bodies from disaster is only half of the survivor’s mindset.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
Such groups have long been used to being hypervigilant, but that mindset is something Atkin sees spreading in our time.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
As cost-of-living pressures continue, shoppers are adopting a cost-per-wear mindset—prioritizing durability and steady performance over lower initial prices.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
That mindset fits the way his rookie season played out.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Many voters didn’t grow up thinking of horror as serious cinema, and that mindset doesn’t change quickly.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Soft skills, a propensity to learn key hard skills, genuine effort and a growth mindset can all potentially separate someone who’ll learn and adapt quickly from someone who’s completely unprepared for the job from Day 1.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 20 Mar. 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
