as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst
your defeatist attitude is depressing everyone else on the team!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of defeatist
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatist
Adjective
-
Written and directed by Barker, Obsession centers on a music store employee named Bear (Michael Johnston), a hopeless romantic who has fallen for a co-worker named Nikki (Inde Navarette).—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
-
Felicity Thoughtful, impulsive, hopeless romantic whose hair choices overshadowed everything.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The guy was nothing if not a realist.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
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In San Jose, Cohen has developed a reputation as a principled realist who has pursued progress over purity.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
This is cynical political theater.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
And, though a lot of cynics will try to convince you otherwise, that’s perfectly OK.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Of course, cynics would say this is an easy way to get laughs, but Galifianakis’ quick wit ensures the unfiltered youngsters don’t always take center stage.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The share of employers with a pessimistic view of the job market for new grads has been rising every year since 2022.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Eighty-one percent of Gen Z believes AI will reduce job opportunities, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll — more pessimistic than any other generation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
That is a hard thing to live with—but, the pessimist would answer, who thought life was supposed to be easy?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
As late as August 2007, the Federal Reserve was skeptical of such bubble talk, while Grantham was dismissed as a pessimist, a dismissal that soon proved mistaken.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defeatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeatist. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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