as in optimistic
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in optimist
Related Words
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
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 prognostication now appears wildly optimistic.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Reynolds spoke to the Broward School Board in October and voiced a more optimistic outlook for the three unions that represent school district employees.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And yet, the natural optimist in me (that’s Tolkien talking) can’t succumb to literary doomerism.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Occasionally, optimists are right, even in the Middle East.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some are hopeful, including the fact that the unsheltered population may similarly be shrinking.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Given this dire assessment of the state of the world, is Rowley still hopeful about the future?—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
15 Mar. 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
Noun
-
This is ultimately a story about America and the kinds of dreamers the country produces: Garfield was an idealist, and Shannon portrays him with earnestness and purpose—a man devoted to his family but also to moral causes, including keeping Reconstruction from falling apart.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
While Sophie has a pragmatic approach to life, she’s complemented by Benedict, a dreamy idealist.—
Kat Moon,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
By mid-February, Hooper was less rosy about the prospects of budget talks wrapping during the regular session.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The statistics appear to bear out the president’s rosy assessment.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Artist Lauren Halsey opens ‘sister dreamer,’ a monumental sculpture park celebrating South-Central Los Angeles, at Western Avenue and 76th Street on Saturday.—
Jane Horowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Manufacturing scale will separate winners from dreamers.—
Ravin Gandhi,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One great-weather-day in, and New Yorkers are wasting no time shedding their winter layers and embracing a lighter, more upbeat wardrobe—including couple Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz, who were spotted walking out and about downtown this afternoon in their best transitional outfits.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The upbeat and quirky illustrations were seen on everything from books to stationery to prints and home goods.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
