Synonyms of defeatist

defeatist 1 of 2

adjective

as in hopeless

emphasizing or expecting the worst

your defeatist attitude is depressing everyone else on the team!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hopeless
• cynical
• pessimistic
• despairing
• depressing
• negative
• bleak
• discouraging
• desperate
• downbeat
• bearish
• fatalistic
• nihilistic
• grim
• hostile
• unlikely
• somber
• morose
• nihilist
• cheerless
• disheartening
• funereal
• sullen
• inauspicious
• gloomy
• unpromising
• sepulchral
• contrary
• dismal
• saturnine
• dreary
• desolate
• comfortless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimistic
• hopeful
• upbeat
• rosy
• encouraging
• promising
• likely
• fair
• heartening
• bright
• golden
• positive
• Pollyannaish
• comforting
• reassuring
• Panglossian
• propitious
• Pollyanna
• auspicious
• favorable
• good
• rose-colored
• utopian
• romantic
• idealist
• visionary
• cheerful
• cheering
• cheery
• sunny
• chipper

defeatist

2 of 2

noun

as in realist

one who emphasizes bad aspects or conditions and expects the worst

we told her that if she was going to be such a defeatist, she should keep her thoughts to herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

• realist
• cynic
• pessimist
• Cassandra
• fatalist
• nihilist
• pragmatist
• Jeremiah
• naysayer
• hardnose
• knocker
• worrier
• worrywart
• anti-utopian

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimist
• Pollyanna
• romantic
• idealist
• dreamer
• romanticist
• ideologue
• visionary
• Don Quixote
• sentimentalist
• utopian
• idealizer
• fantast

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defeatist

Adjective

This defeatist sentiment is wrong and dangerous. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 11 May 2026

This defeatist thinking is misguided and assumes action will be futile. — Jim Costa, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026

Job seekers can game this defeatist death-spiral by recalculating their measure of success. — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025

China’s internet regulators have launched a campaign targeting online content that promotes negativity, pessimism, or defeatist attitudes and are urging netizens to report posts that violate these new standards. — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

The prime minister’s far-right political allies, on the other hand, have accused the chief of staff of leading a weak and defeatist approach that is preventing victory over Hamas, the officials said. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

Noun

Frank was trying to set realistic expectations for the season, but made comments that were interpreted as defeatist. — Jay Harris, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Hegseth largely declined to provide specifics, instead denouncing critics as defeatists, questioning their patriotism and insisting the mission had broad public support. — Nik Popli, Time, 29 Apr. 2026

The mood just feels a little defeatist right now. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025