as in positively
in a positive or optimistic manner
After months of dwindling sales, the manager declared optimistically that "there is no place to go but up from here".
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Recent Examples of optimistically
But the county found the Rays’ proposal leaned too optimistically on a sales tax known as the Community Investment Tax, which most commissioners said in 2024 would not go to a new stadium.
—
Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Last month, the governor optimistically suggested that the bridge could be open as soon as 2030, with aspirations of him cutting the ribbon for the new bridge.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
Counsell said Tuesday that Palencia was responding well and optimistically could be back in two weeks.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Once upon a time, a kids spa treatment meant glitter nail polish, a side braid and maybe a cucumber slice perched optimistically on a 9-year-old’s forehead.
—Kathryn Romeyn, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
In their January interview with IndieWire, Colligan and Garrett spoke optimistically about their business plan — but did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
The last time Jay Bhattacharya testified before Congress, in early February, the biomedical research community watched optimistically as the National Institutes of Health director downplayed the impact of last fall’s government shutdown on the pace of grant funding.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Before arriving, Warr also used Google Lens to search through the listing photos, and is confident that the Birth of Venus painting—recreated this time with furry cats—is worth $20 at most, even though the seller will optimistically tap her for $50.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
More optimistically, Templeman said that information technology as a whole is now trading on par with the rest of the market, even below valuations seen during the 2022 sell-off, at least in relative terms.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Last month, the governor optimistically suggested that the bridge could be open as soon as 2030, with aspirations of him cutting the ribbon for the new bridge.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
Counsell said Tuesday that Palencia was responding well and optimistically could be back in two weeks.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Once upon a time, a kids spa treatment meant glitter nail polish, a side braid and maybe a cucumber slice perched optimistically on a 9-year-old’s forehead.
—Kathryn Romeyn, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
In their January interview with IndieWire, Colligan and Garrett spoke optimistically about their business plan — but did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
The last time Jay Bhattacharya testified before Congress, in early February, the biomedical research community watched optimistically as the National Institutes of Health director downplayed the impact of last fall’s government shutdown on the pace of grant funding.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Before arriving, Warr also used Google Lens to search through the listing photos, and is confident that the Birth of Venus painting—recreated this time with furry cats—is worth $20 at most, even though the seller will optimistically tap her for $50.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
More optimistically, Templeman said that information technology as a whole is now trading on par with the rest of the market, even below valuations seen during the 2022 sell-off, at least in relative terms.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optimistically
Adverb
-
Stepping out on the red carpet on May 23, Longoria opted for a golden strapless gown that was positively dripping in sequins.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
-
And absolutely, positively not true.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
Adverb
-
Do not give access just because someone asks confidently.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
-
The result is a hotel that honors its past and moves confidently into the present.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Adverb
-
And hopefully Judy, having gone through what she’s gone through, will understand that.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
25 May 2026
-
Many of the Palace supporters who were at Selhurst will be in Germany for the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday where the true farewell will come, hopefully to bring a third trophy in this most successful period of the club’s history.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Adverb
-
By now the acquaintances had seen them and walked in, waving cheerfully.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
-
Indeed, Calvin is cheerfully lobotomizing a snowman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optimistically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optimistically. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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