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

The rally began amid widespread pessimism about inflation and the economy, yet none of those setbacks managed to derail it.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Gallup pointed to rising clinical depression and loneliness, difficulty affording housing, fears of losing jobs to artificial intelligence and growing pessimism about the job market as possible contributors to the decline.

— Alex DeLuca, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pessimism

Noun

His resignation from the board is the latest development in a succession plan set in motion five years ago by the Wertheimer family, which owns Chanel.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The announcement comes amid a public dispute between Leikauf and his predecessor, former sheriff John D’Agostini, who has called for Leikauf’s resignation in local newspapers and on social media.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defeatism

noun

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