as in optimistic
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as in optimist
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Recent Examples of Pollyanna
Rich Roll, Outside, 26 Aug. 2025
During the festival, those attending can enjoy a selection of beer, wine and cocktails from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, along with offerings from other local St. Charles breweries, according to the release.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Your options aren’t only ‘cynical’ or ‘naïve’ The opposite of a cynic is a Pollyanna.
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 24 June 2025
But isn’t the cynical explanation also the Pollyanna one?
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Informed hope is not a Pollyanna attitude, but balancing the realities of the situation with the positive things people are doing.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
Alexi’s tutu-twirling positivity should not be confused with Pollyanna, nor her quirky insights with naiveté.
—Rich Roll, Outside, 26 Aug. 2025
During the festival, those attending can enjoy a selection of beer, wine and cocktails from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, along with offerings from other local St. Charles breweries, according to the release.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Your options aren’t only ‘cynical’ or ‘naïve’ The opposite of a cynic is a Pollyanna.
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 24 June 2025
But isn’t the cynical explanation also the Pollyanna one?
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Informed hope is not a Pollyanna attitude, but balancing the realities of the situation with the positive things people are doing.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pollyanna
Adjective
-
But Financial Services Chair French Hill is optimistic about the proposals advancing this time given support from rank-and-file Democrats and the fact many already have companion measures in the Senate.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Powell was also optimistic about the economy’s growth next year, and said that consumer spending remains resilient while companies are still investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In an uncertain environment, those with hopeful personalities will be inclined to be act as optimists and those with fearful personalities will be inclined to act as pessimists.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
-
Her family, from Pinar del Río, raised her to be an optimist that finds the best in every situation and the ability to maked people feel welcome.—
Sarah Moreno
May 31,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pulisic showed no signs of injury while talking with reporters after the match, and coach Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful the injury will not limit Pulisic during the next match Friday against Australia.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Kaiser is hopeful that the team’s eye-catching offerings will also generate awareness of more traditional auction items.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
He’s got the twinkly eye and the sly, gregarious spiritual ease of a Micawber or a Cheeryble.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2024
-
The smallest of the Micawber brood glides away in his baby carriage, because the bailiff is dragging the hallway carpet out from under the front door.—
Josephine Livingstone,
The New Republic,
16 Sep. 2020
Adjective
-
In their place are rosy accounts of his life post-conviction.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Unfortunately, things aren't looking so rosy for them by the episode's end.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Josh, who wants to be an investigative journalist, is an idealist in a PBS T-shirt (and with a PBS tote bag) who gets by on family money and is incapable of taking care of himself in any practical way.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Independent bookselling, rarely a way to get rich, is a meeting ground for idealists — for young people with a sense of mission, retirees embarking on a new life or middle-aged people no longer satisfied with their careers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
In respect of job losses due to AI, however, panellists seem to be contrarily upbeat.—
Marcus Lim,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
Joking about death could very well be the most upbeat part of his new hour.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Those juxtaposing character traits were oftentimes the only way to differentiate between the gentle dreamer Bette and stern, controlling Dot.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
-
He's always been a dreamer, even as a kid in rural Canada.—
Jonathan Vigliotti,
CBS News,
30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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