Pollyanna 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of Pollyannanext
as in optimistic

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Pollyanna

2 of 2

noun

as in optimist

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of Pollyanna
Noun
The actress, best known for Pollyanna and the original version of The Parent Trap, appeared on the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth, alongside sister Juliet Mills. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 Doom and gloom always sells better than Pollyanna—but Pollyanna turns out to be more accurate, on average, in the long run. — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 14 Jan. 2026 Chris Howe directed the hour, with Gilligan exec producing alongside David Geli and Pollyanna McGirr. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026 Despite his on-screen demise, Burke — who shares daughter Bluesy LaRue Burke with ex-wife Pollyanna Rose — has learned a lot about parenting from his character. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025 Burke was previously married to actress Pollyanna Rose, per the Los Angeles Times. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025 Alexi’s tutu-twirling positivity should not be confused with Pollyanna, nor her quirky insights with naiveté. — Rich Roll, Outside, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pollyanna
  1. optimistic
  2. optimist
  3. hopeful
  4. Micawber
  5. rosy
  6. idealist
  7. upbeat
  8. dreamer
Adjective
  • Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The 192-mile electric figure is reported as CLTC, which is China's relatively optimistic test cycle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Noun
  • YouTube | Overcast | Pocket Casts Bill Gates has generally been an AI optimist.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The rewards Gates, ever the optimist, also outlines some major boons the technology holds.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of optimist
Adjective
  • Relatives of people believed trapped in a tunnel at one of several hydropower plants hit in the China-Nepal border floods on Wednesday remain hopeful of positive news.
    — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Lee is hopeful the team will add another player or two or three before the transfer window closes next Wednesday, but Sporting KC is past the point of turning around its season.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopeful
Noun
  • Ostrom also believes that this community is special and hopes to build a community backup from what used to be at Micawber's.
    — Ray Campos, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of Micawber
Adjective
  • Instead of predicting a rosy outcome or forcing a new personality, a useful mantra can state a choice that’s within your control.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The strappy dress featured a sheer grid base adorned with beaded floral appliqués in the same shade of rosy pink.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of rosy
Noun
  • Fairness With Conditions Schulz is careful not to present himself as an idealist.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Doug Gibson, the novel’s closest thing to an idealist, is a pugilistic criminal-defense lawyer, the kind with ads on bus-stop benches.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of idealist
Adjective
  • Hair-loss drugs are likely to remain out-of-pocket expenses for consumers, but many in the industry remain upbeat on future sales.
    — Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But Buddy, the feature debut of Casper Kelly, lets the genre’s relentlessly upbeat tone slowly curdle in the opening sequence, in which one of the kids refuses to play along with day’s lesson about being brave and trying new things.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of upbeat
Noun
  • San Francisco Playhouse is currently presenting the musical, helmed by company artistic director Bill English (with Phaedra Tillery-Boughton credited as associate director) and starring Ella Ruth Francis as the indefatigable dreamer Tracy Turnblad.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of dreamer

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Cite this Entry

“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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