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
  • The film is certainly casting a spell, and whether or not that’s simply cynical (and insidiously effective) marketing doesn’t much matter when you’re caught up in it.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There’s rom-com-style banter between Alice and her colleague Danny (Scoot McNairy), and cynical mentorship from FBI agent Nora (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), who has seen enough to drive her to drink.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cynical
Noun
  • Still, with all the aforementioned accomplishments, and decades later, Steinem said that her naysayers used her bunny work in an attempt to discredit her.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • That’s what naysayers infatuated with Bhayshul Tuten continuously preach.
    — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of naysayer
Adjective
  • Initially skeptical of the tub, her contractors took pride in the end result.
    — Sean Santiago, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026
  • El Sayed has been skeptical of AI throughout his Senate campaign against GOP candidate Mike Rogers, calling for government ownership of the technology and backing a sweeping tax on AI companies’ stock.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Noun
  • Some pessimists think Chalamet may be vulnerable to poaching given recent headlines, but others reject the idea.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But even a pessimist then wouldn’t have predicted a plummet in production to this extent two years later.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of pessimist
Adjective
  • Gulliver’s Travels ends on a devastatingly misanthropic note.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The philosophy-minded writer, apart from being generally (and characteristically) misanthropic, was making a profound point.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 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
  • If Lex seems pessimistic about the Eagles, Josh is pushing back against any skepticism.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Panama’s representative, sounded a pessimistic note.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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