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
-
Your optimistic spirit stays strong when habits match your values, so pick savings goals that fit your real life.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But the Bipartisan Policy Center sees evidence of Peterson’s wish—that lawmakers on both sides will begin working together to come up with solutions—and is more optimistic that an all-out fiscal crisis isn’t in the cards.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tech optimists may point to the benefits screens can have for individual tutoring or supplemental materials.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Divided sentiment Have Californians suddenly become economic optimists?—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But with proper funding into research, Hanlon and others are hopeful that can change.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And the welcomes kept coming out of her, compulsive and hopeful and for no one in particular.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 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
-
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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While Sophie has a pragmatic approach to life, she’s complemented by Benedict, a dreamy idealist.—
Kat Moon,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The rosy, aromatic drink is perfect for a garden party, warm-weather wedding, or Mother’s Day brunch.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The gorgeous foliage of Red Diamond™ provides year-round color accented by rosy-red blooms in late winter to early spring.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Linda becomes her husband’s unyielding defender as the tortured Biff — once the quintessential American boy — develops into a Knight of the Mirrors against his father’s Quixote, the adversary who tries to force the dreamer to encounter his own reflection.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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The once highly regarded and pricey hub for tech dreamers and fledgling startups has devolved from a breeding ground for ingenuity and innovation — a place of hope — to something closer to an American nightmare.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As much as Besler anticipates that upbeat effect for others, there will be something new in this for him, too.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Samsung's upbeat projections, the firm could still face some headwinds this year from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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