optimistic

adjective

ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik How to pronounce optimistic (audio)
Definition of optimisticnext
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic

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 optimistic However, the situation is less optimistic in the wide receivers room. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026 Coach Paul Maurice said the optimistic window for Barkov, a team captain and one of South Florida’s top athletes, to return is six to eight weeks. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Yes, Horn and Mike Jackson are out until probably Week 12, and that’s on the optimistic side of things. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 In July, Puma reported a slip in sales in the second quarter, but the company’s bosses remain optimistic that their plan to bring the brand back to growth by 2027 is on the right track. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for optimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optimistic
  1. promising
  2. bright
  3. hopeful
Adjective
  • Tens of millions of American children recently gained access to a promising wealth-building tool, though many of their parents probably aren’t even aware of it.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
  • For chipmakers, the practical focus of the new center is on reducing the gap between finding a promising material and proving that it can be reliably manufactured at the scale and quality required for semiconductor production.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • The shoe features a bright Hot Punch/Neo Pink colorway, which translates to a pink gradient fade across the sneaker’s signature Opticast upper.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Micron’s bright outlook Micron delivered another blowout quarter Wednesday, but the bigger takeaway was management’s outlook on the supply-demand imbalance and the prospect for a powerful stock buyback.
    — Alexa LoMonaco,Jeff Nash, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • The two women are themselves influencers who previously accused former gubernatorial hopeful Tom Steyer and, earlier this week, Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman of similar infractions.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Hager is hopeful many of his members will follow that endorsement.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hopeful

Browse Nearby Words

optimist
optimistic
optimistically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optimistic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All