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
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 See All Example Sentences for Pollyanna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pollyanna
  1. optimistic
  2. optimist
  3. hopeful
  4. Micawber
  5. rosy
  6. idealist
  7. upbeat
  8. dreamer
Adjective
  • Instead, some slopes are resorting to creating snow artificially, while hotels and restaurants do their best to stay optimistic.
    — Cristopher Ulloa, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • His eight turnovers reflected the rookie’s inevitable learning curve, but did little to diminish the flashes that have the Jazz so optimistic about the future.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of optimistic
Noun
  • Reading rates might fluctuate, but optimists argue that the long arc of history points toward universal literacy.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • China has long been a nation of techno-optimists, and not just because software and engineering — from smartphones to high-speed trains to drone deliveries — have radically improved life across the country in the span of a single generation.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of optimist
Adjective
  • The emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Travel and Learning, while the dynamic Sun in your sign aligns your sense of self with hopeful perspective.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, her family remained hopeful, awaiting a life-altering kidney transplant.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of hopeful
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
Definition of Micawber
Adjective
  • Her makeup, consisting of white eyeshadow, rosy blush, and a coat of clear lip gloss, echoed the ethereal theme.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • He got rocked in his first start of the season against the Mets, but settled in nicely after that and everything seemed rosy.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of rosy
Noun
  • But Veda is no idealist out to end wars or reject her parents’ materialism.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of idealist
Adjective
  • By contrast, Goldman remained upbeat on several higher-yielding emerging-market currencies.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • The upbeat occasion delighted fans, many of whom have been with Swift on her journey for decades.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2026
Definition of upbeat
Noun
  • But even as Moon landings, space shuttles, and reusable rockets seized the headlines, Link, along with a stubborn handful of engineers, explorers, and flat-out dreamers, kept plumbing the ocean instead.
    — Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
  • For Rolling Stone’s Last Word column, Midler talked about the gigs, auditions, and storied feuds that took her from dreamer to entertainment legend.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2026
Definition of dreamer

Browse Nearby Words

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Pollyanna
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Cite this Entry

“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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