as in hopefulness
an inclination to believe in the most favorable outcome
your perpetual optimism even when things look bleak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of optimism
While Rahman’s return has injected optimism into Bangladesh, the most striking change postrevolution is resurgent Islamism.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
While optimism regarding employment grew slightly in the fourth quarter, and expectations about prices stabilized, people became more negative over incomes, the poll showed.
—Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Still, Democrats profess optimism about the possibilities in Florida next year.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Since arriving in San Jose last week, Sherwood has been skating with development coach Mike Ricci, and Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed optimism over the weekend that the 30-year-old winger would be able to play sometime on the team’s road trip.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimism
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
While optimism regarding employment grew slightly in the fourth quarter, and expectations about prices stabilized, people became more negative over incomes, the poll showed.
—Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Still, Democrats profess optimism about the possibilities in Florida next year.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Since arriving in San Jose last week, Sherwood has been skating with development coach Mike Ricci, and Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed optimism over the weekend that the 30-year-old winger would be able to play sometime on the team’s road trip.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optimism
Noun
-
Imaginative Neptune meanders into your 11th House of Social Causes, encouraging kinder connections — the sort of relationships that further creative endeavors and amp up hopefulness.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In a world in which communities can often sit uncomfortably with conservation, Wilderness offers a framework for balance that is not just a philosophy, but a practice, offering a sense of hopefulness as well as a window into what will ultimately sustain this slice of paradise—for all its dwellers.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Only superbright fireballs, with a magnitude of around minus 12 to minus 15 — roughly the same brightness in our sky as the moon — will be visible from our planet.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile a separate report promises a striking upgrade for the iPhone 18 display, with greater brightness on offer.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ian Schrager’s Italian protégé Aldo Melpignano promises to bring the same energy and cheerfulness that the Borgo Egnazia is known for, though here with a South Tyrolean style.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
That indefatigable cheerfulness, even when describing scenes that sound brutal to almost anyone else, ran through the entire interview.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optimism. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
