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
-
That kind of novel feels a little too optimistic about the outcome of this kind of research.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Svetlana’s optimistic pretend normalcy and Lyudmila’s practical approach to medication point to impossibility of fathoming the many crushing consequences of the Ukraine crisis.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And while people in this circle are not immediately persuadable, the optimist in me believes that over time – and as circumstances change – their thinking may evolve.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Artificial intelligence—a productivity-maximizing tool to some and an untamable threat to others—has asked similar questions of the social contract in the 21st century, and the optimists appear to be winning the day.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While their recent encounter marked a hopeful step forward, royal insiders caution that a long road lies ahead before full reconciliation is likely.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
-
At a weekly Saturday night gathering for the hostages in Tel Aviv, many people sounded cautiously hopeful — if not frustrated with the political leadership at home.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
-
Of the roiling mass of restless natives, cranky artists and tattered idealists who rose up across the Southland this summer to flip off darkness and call America back to its better angels?—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Fifteen years later, Brooks is back with a story about a young idealist trying to balance a professional life in politics with her wacky family.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The bubble-ists think that the Coreweave people are hopeless dreamers at best and shysters at worst.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
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The actress, model, and singer portrayed the altruistic dreamer Lani McKenzie on season 8 of the action series, which centered on the exploits of a group of Los Angeles County lifeguards.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Wherever Walnut is a beautiful rosy nude that doesn't pull orange on me (my pet peeve).—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
3 Oct. 2025
-
So if believing that your rosy glow or struggles with heartburn make waiting to meet your baby a little bit easier to bear, then may these myths be around forever.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And though the premise might sound eccentric, several of the hopeful romantics tell The Denver Post that the unique environment produces these unique outcomes.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
29 Sep. 2025
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Since then, the song has been yearned for by hopeless romantics on TikTok, with videos featuring the song racking up millions of views, similar to the ones Iris posted herself.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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