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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
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 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
  • The seat is widely considered reliably Republican, but some recent polling has Democrats feeling optimistic and Andrews has pushed the party to invest in the race.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The Ladybird Bullet belonged to that optimistic midcentury design language.
    — Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Noun
  • My favourite part of this exercise is seeing the distribution of optimists and pessimists.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • To the optimist, there was just enough out there to nourish hope.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of optimist
Adjective
  • Kansas governor hopeful Ty Masterson is trying out a new look on his campaign website and social media.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Nepal’s Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina said officials remain hopeful that more workers will be rescued.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Sep. 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
  • For her glamorous return to the stage, Dion stuck true to her signature look and opted for a sleek updo with rosy makeup.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Only the latest data release acknowledged that the picture may not be so rosy.
    — Zilvinas "Z" Silenas, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of rosy
Noun
  • At its core, Dark Matter is a series about the folly and hubris of humankind, even when — nay, especially when — idealists have the power to achieve transformative change.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Fairness With Conditions Schulz is careful not to present himself as an idealist.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of idealist
Adjective
  • Green was more upbeat after conversing with Young throughout the day.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Parton’s message was classic Dolly, with the singer sitting next to a bouquet of fresh flowers and dressed in a golden top with fringe and sparkling accents, her signature upbeat attitude fully on display.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of upbeat
Noun
  • The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • San Francisco Playhouse is currently presenting the musical, helmed by company artistic director Bill English (with Phaedra Tillery-Boughton credited as associate director) and starring Ella Ruth Francis as the indefatigable dreamer Tracy Turnblad.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 27 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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