NEGATIVIST Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

negativist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of negativist

as in negativistic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

negativist

2 of 2

noun

as in naysayer

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for negativist

Adjective

Unauthorized sequels reveal the extremes of why people make movies in the first place, from purely cynical money grabs to pure — even naive — devotion to characters and their world.

— Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, an irritable, cynical weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to report a story about the town’s quaint groundhog ceremony.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cynical

Noun

Still, White believes there’s a way to let naysayers know how the Hornets can be a good team in a tough conference.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026
For Season 3, Saldaña, 48, took her physical preparation to new levels, in part to silence any naysayers.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of naysayer

Adjective

Lots of teams will forfeit games because of an ineligible player (barring athletic directors being skeptical of every transfer).

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
He's been skeptical of the war, but he's came out recently and said that the war should end.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Noun

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
Though the pessimists should be considered carefully, the latest Nobel laureates—awarded their prizes for their on work long-term growth—are optimistic.

— Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of pessimist

Adjective

The philosophy-minded writer, apart from being generally (and characteristically) misanthropic, was making a profound point.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Wealthy, misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive, Melvin Udall, played by Jack Nicholson, develops an unlikely bond with Carol, a waitress portrayed by Helen Hunt.

— Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Definition of misanthropic

Adjective

One owner of an EFL club, who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, was more pessimistic.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Yet these concepts often seem lost on the many economists who think many Americans are overly pessimistic.

— Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of pessimistic

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

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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Negativist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negativist. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of negativist

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

prowess

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes