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
  • For now, investors seem optimistic about the merger’s prospects.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Its terms were not far from Biden’s, but Walzer was not optimistic.
    — Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Noun
  • Morris was a wild-haired and bearded optimist with gentle eyes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of optimist
Adjective
  • For those unfamiliar with Fielder’s career or filmmaking approach, his assent to award season hopeful — even frontrunner — has felt like welcoming a strange alien to a planet inhabited by the slick Hollywood establishment.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • By the end, the stage had transformed into a portrait of renewal — a reminder that, even after tragedy, something hopeful can grow.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 24 Oct. 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
  • His tribute to his home in the Palisades is full of rosy reminiscences and a few woo-woo anecdotes.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But what really sells Cathy’s faux-naïf act is her flushed cheeks and rosy lips, courtesy of Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Petal and HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick in English Rose.
    — Katie Gunderman, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of rosy
Noun
  • Jeffrey Epstein is mentioned, as is Jimmy Kimmel, whose interview with this fresh-faced idealist was not allowed to air on ABC's airwaves.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of idealist
Adjective
  • Walid Itayim plays a free and funky guitar solo over Sami Shabshab’s slick bassline, but the lyrics pierce straight through the upbeat tune.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Meta is having a rough session, down nearly 6%, despite reporting strong revenue growth Wednesday night and painting an upbeat picture on the opportunity for its Muse AI agent business.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of upbeat
Noun
  • Michele, who portrayed ambitious dreamer Rachel Berry for the entirety of the original series’ run, is reportedly set to return for the reboot.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The beautiful, sullen boy was an energetic dreamer who often longed for his mother.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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