1
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
classes that hopefully will change the negative attitude that some students have toward the recent immigrants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests
the almost universally negative reaction to the book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in veto
a vote or decision against something
in the absence of an unambiguous negative from the commander, we decided to continue on the mission
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
the desire to control another person is actually the negative of real love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disadvantage
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
the main negative of this job is that I have to get up at 4:30 a.m.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote
although the rebuttal was very eloquent, the jury negatived it in favor of the prosecution's argument we promptly negatived the idea of having pizza again for dinner, noting that we had already had it for three nights that week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deny
to declare not to be true
the governor's press secretary promptly negatived the rumor that he was not intending to run for reelection
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3
as in to reject
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
even though I had originally negatived the invitation, Mom thought I should go anyway
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4
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
no amount of flattery is likely to negative that overheard insult
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5
as in to refuse
to be unwilling to grant
ultimately, we negatived the request for a personal loan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of negative
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Everyone is totally honest about every negative thing that was less than ideal.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
That changes this month with the film’s worldwide HD debut in the form of a new Blu-ray edition from boutique label Cinématographe, which contains Figgis’ uncensored cut in a new transfer struck from the original negative.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 May 2022
But with sales growth expected to go from triple digits in 2021 to negative this year, shares have tanked to a record low recently.
—Yueqi Yang, Time, 20 Apr. 2022
See All Example Sentences for negative
Adjective
In her response, Cooper denied saying anything negative about the Plan Bri Uncut host.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Everyone is totally honest about every negative thing that was less than ideal.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Film negatives deteriorate through humidity, chemical decay and physical damage, and without timely intervention, important works risk being lost entirely.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
That changes this month with the film’s worldwide HD debut in the form of a new Blu-ray edition from boutique label Cinématographe, which contains Figgis’ uncensored cut in a new transfer struck from the original negative.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Regardless, the outcome of this trial might not impact the ex-couple’s career prospects in all that negative a way, Engelmayer predicted.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 May 2022
But with sales growth expected to go from triple digits in 2021 to negative this year, shares have tanked to a record low recently.
—Yueqi Yang, Time, 20 Apr. 2022
See All Example Sentences for negative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negative
Adjective
-
Our city workers have consistently risen above the vitriol and accusations of hostile political leaders to do the jobs that our residents expect.—
Venus Molina,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
While Kirk may have received hostile or threatening messages, including on social media, those were not part of any identified or actionable threat stream monitored by federal authorities, the person told Sganga.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Among Jewish Democrats, opinion skews against AIPAC, with 37% having an unfavorable opinion and 29% favorable.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the unfavorable wind, the mark was more than 14 feet farther than the gold medal-winning throw at the Olympic Games two weeks later.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps more significantly, Graham King, the producer, needed approval for the music from the Jackson estate, effectively giving it veto power over the project.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After the Brussels meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that without Orban’s veto, action could be coming soon, such as imposing sanctions on violent Israeli settlers.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While some cleansers strip skin of moisture while purifying pores and removing dirt and oil, this one does the opposite, according to shoppers.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But critics warn the opposite — that loosening requirements could weaken oversight and allow lower-quality accreditors into the system.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The era of the concert hall was at hand, and the same qualities that had made the mandolin attractive at home now put it at a disadvantage.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Those will be difficult headwinds for Whatley to combat, Bitzer and Roberts both said, especially since members of the sitting president’s party already tend to be at a disadvantage in competitive midterm elections.—
Mary Ramsey
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal Court Justice James Stellios ruled in dismissing the appeal that no jurisdiction error was made in 2024 by then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in ordering Duggan's extradition.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Maasdorp called for a pivot toward investment, capital mobilization, and regional integration, saying BII was looking to forge partnerships that de-risk investment in markets long dismissed as too volatile.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The judge denied the defendants’ request to dismiss the negligence, emotional distress and punitive damages claims.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Baldwin and his legal team worked to get the involuntary manslaughter charges dismissed before the July 2024 trial, though their attempt was initially denied.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah strongly rejected the talks.—
Tucker Reals,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Weinstein’s precipitous downfall came after the New Yorker and The New York Times published explosive investigative reporting in late 2017 accusing him of habitually preying on women from his powerful perch in Hollywood and blacklisting those who rejected him.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Negative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negative. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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