as in pessimism
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Recent Examples of defeatism
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 defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Too often the effect has been to make the GOP put lipstick on defeatism.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
Shot entirely in France, the movie renders its ideas of romantic melancholy and Agathe’s default romantic defeatism in ways that reassure the audience every second.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defeatism
Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Too often the effect has been to make the GOP put lipstick on defeatism.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
Shot entirely in France, the movie renders its ideas of romantic melancholy and Agathe’s default romantic defeatism in ways that reassure the audience every second.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defeatism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatism
Noun
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The report provides vindication for economists like Apollo’s Torsten Slok, who have stayed bullish despite widespread pessimism.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the face of widespread pessimism about the political fate of the United States and growing political polarization, scholars and citizens across the country are reimagining how American democracy could better serve the needs of the whole population.—
Jennifer Lynn McCoy,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After month of standing by Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon accepted his general counsel’s resignation last week.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Clark’s resignation comes amid the Eastern District of New York’s ongoing investigation into the MLBPA’s finances and other dealings.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defeatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeatism. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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