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negativist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of negativistnext
as in negativistic

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negativist

2 of 2

noun

as in naysayer

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for negativist
  1. cynical
  2. naysayer
  3. skeptical
  4. pessimist
  5. misanthropic
  6. fatalist
  7. pessimistic
  8. defeatist
Adjective
  • Here, the omnipresent superstar portrays Kade Auberon, a cynical rogue confronted by his mysterious past.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Those measures – in 2018, 2020 and 2022 – were placed by a particularly cynical health workers union abusing the initiative process to punish dialysis clinics that opposed unionization efforts.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of cynical
Noun
  • Neither song has stopped naysayers from characterizing Anthrax as left-wing.
    — Jon Wiederhorn, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The hiding of it is what allowed naysayers to get way more people killed.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of naysayer
Adjective
  • Ellison, for his part, promised to release a minimum of 30 films per year theatrically, though many in the industry remain skeptical about how long the company can sustain that level of production.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Some seemed skeptical as the men performed the rainmaking ritual.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Noun
  • My favourite part of this exercise is seeing the distribution of optimists and pessimists.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Some pessimists think Chalamet may be vulnerable to poaching given recent headlines, but others reject the idea.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pessimist
Adjective
  • The prospect of Helen Mirren playing the legendary author Patricia Highsmith at her most unpredictably misanthropic should be enough of a selling point for A Talent for Murder.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Gulliver’s Travels ends on a devastatingly misanthropic note.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of misanthropic
Noun
  • But the fatalist in me feels like this stuff is coming.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of fatalist
Adjective
  • Californians are deeply pessimistic about the direction of the state and nation, expecting tough economic times and are sour on both major political parties, according to a new poll.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Along with her equally intellectual and sardonic (some may even say pessimistic) best friend Jane, Daria provided a terrifically entertaining rebuke to late ’90s and early aughts culture.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of pessimistic
Noun
  • Paige is energetic, determined, and inquisitive where Kevin is defeatist, sad, and zhlubby.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of defeatist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

negativing
negativist
negativistic
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Cite this Entry

“Negativist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negativist. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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