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
  • Masses will want to know well into early 2027 in what’s an optimistic start to Disney’s 2027 box office year.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Galinson is, however, optimistic that there is an appetite for positive change, at least in the third and fourth tiers.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Noun
  • An optimist may see this as a cycle, whereby there’s rotation at the top and the status quo will shift.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Now the rot is right there on the surface; the people smiling are less likely to be clueless optimists than the people who are happy about the rot, or profiting from it.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of optimist
Adjective
  • The Padres are hopeful Adam, who has been out since July 2 with a shoulder strain, can be pitching for them by mid-September.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Former Heat guard Victor Oladipo, who has been working out in Miami in a group that includes Heat guard Davion Mitchell, remains hopeful of a door opening for an NBA return.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 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
  • The president’s rosy view is running into anxiety about the cost of living and fallout from the war in Iran.
    — Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Still, not all industry experts concurred with the rosy view widely held by speakers on the recent SAMHSA webinar.
    — Lev Facher, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rosy
Noun
  • 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
  • The campaign, which has highlighted divides over support for Israel, is a show for moderates against progressives, insiders against outsiders and pragmatists against idealists.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of idealist
Adjective
  • In contrast to his usually upbeat courtroom demeanor, Mangione appeared tired.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Fakhroo remains upbeat about the outlook for data center growth in the region, despite the ongoing volatility and the recent high-profile attacks on data centers in both the UAE and Bahrain.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of upbeat
Noun
  • Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen tells the story of Colette (Caruso), a witty young dreamer in 20th-century Paris, who finds her power through writing.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In each of those projects, Johnson created a role for himself, typically a clownish dreamer.
    — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of dreamer

Browse Nearby Words

pollutions
Pollyanna
Pollyannaish
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Cite this Entry

“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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