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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
  • Swarup’s book exposes the cynical nature of the quiz show, dangling a literal lifeline to desperate people for the sake of entertainment.
    — L.M. Chilton, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Myriad people inside Warner Bros are cynical about the capping of severances and the fact that only a few at the top are bound for a post-merger windfall.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 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
  • The pledge from Walmart comes as concerns are mounting from some shoppers, consumer advocates and lawmakers skeptical about the rollout of digital price labels by the discounter and other stores.
    — Anne D’Innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist known for his research on the intersection of psychology and AI, is also skeptical that AI agents could paralyze the internet.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 28 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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