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
-
And though the devastation wrought by last year’s fire was unprecedented in its scale, the Schneiders remain optimistic about the future of their beloved enclave and its plucky local paper.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The reason most fans remain optimistic is the sheer amount of skill position talent Florida retained surrounding its quarterback.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
5 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
-
Eric Musselman sat behind a microphone at the bitter end of a bitter regular season for USC, armed only with the same explanations for how a once-hopeful season could come so undone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The catch The hopeful second act only materializes under the condition that societies survive the first act with their institutions intact.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
8 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
-
Samsara — Shares jumped 11% after the telematics software company reported rosy guidance.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
After a couple of big trades for the team and the Stars on a franchise-record 10-game winning streak, things are looking rosy.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Manufacturing scale will separate winners from dreamers.—
Ravin Gandhi,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Such psychedelic experience is echoed in a local belief that the forest spirit appears to dreamers in the form of a tiger.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 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
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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 13 Mar. 2026.
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