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
-
While the center has shifted its funding to focus to operating the two clinics and remaining open as a gathering space, Hawkins is still optimistic despite the losses.—
Eloise Rollins-Fife,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
-
And participants with the top 20% of stock holdings are especially optimistic.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Combining the optimism of Don Quixote and Candide became the guide for my main character—an absolutely surreal, absurd optimist, who believes that even things way out of his league are possible for him.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Just last week, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna had positioned himself as a rare optimist amid widespread job cuts, pledging that his company would increase hiring among recent college graduates.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite some hopeful signs, the report warned that the South Bay office market remains in tough shape compared to its state before a global outbreak affected the job market and overall economy starting in March 2020.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Sorry, Baby; international-feature hopeful Sound of Falling; and documentary The Alabama Solution.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 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
-
Linda’s an idealist and Norma’s a realist.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Dec. 2025
-
At least there were idealists who dreamed such fancies, and their dreams were the pretext for creating this nation.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
As for glam, Tyla’s makeup, by artist Ngozi Edeme, featured a rosy blush with statement eyes and a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
China’s game plan The outlook is not all rosy for China.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Across cultures and centuries, constellations have been used to explain myths, guide travelers, and inspire dreamers.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The Audacity will star Billy Magnussen and Zach Galifianakis, and revolve around everyone in the orbit of tech’s Disneyland, from the makers and dreamers to the billionaires and bosses.—
Lucy Ford,
Time,
27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Barbour’s mother spoke with Fox 13 in November and told the outlet her daughter was a kind and upbeat person.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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Based on what was for the most part a positive holiday season for retailers last year, the mood should be upbeat at the convention.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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