DEFEATISM Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

defeatism

noun

Definition of defeatism

as in pessimism

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Recent Examples of defeatism Yet Hiller’s latest equivocating mea culpa, with the now-familiar language of hardship and defeatism so unbecoming of a professional hockey team, rang unconvincing. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026 And yet, as the deadline loomed, there were also legitimate reasons to temper such defeatism. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025 By contrast, maybe such language engenders a sense of defeatism, a belief in the inevitability of collapse which is collectively paralyzing. — Ed Simon september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025 This state of mind is defeatism in disguise, capitulating to discord, disorder, and defeat without even joining the battle. — Karen Neff, Christian Science Monitor, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for defeatism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatism

Noun

Phrasemaking is perhaps no contribution to the intellectual heritage of the race, but phrasemakers do snap us out of lethargy, and frequently out of ingrowing pessimism, which may be worse than frenzy.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Sometimes the pessimism on a name gets overdone and the stock price recovery begins in advance of a narrative change.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of pessimism

Noun

However, Sneed didn’t address her resignation during the meeting, the board didn’t vote on a new chair during the meeting and board member, Shamaiye Haynes, was the first to mention it.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026
The North Kansas City Council approved his resignation at its meeting Tuesday evening.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of resignation

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defeating

defeatism

defeatist

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“Defeatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeatism. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of defeatism

noun

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