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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
  • 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
  • Be skeptical of guarantees that depend on platforms the firm does not control.
    — Scott Keever, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike Portugal, and to a lesser extent British Columbia, Oregon also failed to secure buy-in from law enforcement, leaving many officers opposed to the policy and skeptical of their role in implementing it.
    — Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 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
  • 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
  • If Lex seems pessimistic about the Eagles, Josh is pushing back against any skepticism.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 4 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 16 Sep. 2026.

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