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
-
Both Perez and Conine began rehab assignments with Triple A Jacksonville this week, and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was optimistic about both players’ trajectories.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
-
That is a loss, on paper, in the optimistic scenario, and if the number of visitors falls short, the gap only widens.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
After a wildfire, the optimist waits patiently for the eventual return of squirrels, birds and other forest residents.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
But for every optimist backing Musk’s bid to establish a human colony on Mars is an investor on earth wondering if the plan will ever take off.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
17 June 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
-
The green and super pale pink are perfect for a baby girl’s room that doesn’t lean too heavily into rosy hues.—
Briana Feigon,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2026
-
The fiscal picture hasn’t gotten any rosier since then, with a budget deficit of $117 million projected for 2027.—
Douglas Hanks
June 17,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
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
-
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
-
Venice has always been a magnet for dreamers and creatives, but in the past few years, tensions have heightened as residents grapple with the effects of the sizable unhoused population in the area.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
18 June 2026
-
In a study testing this theory using 212 recurrent dream reports, 66% contained at least one threat and dreamers typically responded with defensive or evasive behavior.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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