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
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
Anaheim’s tourism bureau saw 2025 slowed by fires, inflation, tariffs and geopolitical issues, but Visit Anaheim President and CEO Mike Waterman optimistically said 2026 is poised to be the best year in the organization’s 65-year history.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, perhaps optimistically, the TV Academy isn’t closing the door to once again splitting outstanding variety series into two.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Before boarding the bus, schoolboy Harrison Higgins, who bangs the drum, literally, for Darlo, optimistically predicts a 2-1 away win.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Yet university leaders have spoken optimistically about the future, bolstered by its new membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), its coaching staff and a $25 million renovation of its archaic football stadium.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Be optimistically realistic, as much as possible.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
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
Anaheim’s tourism bureau saw 2025 slowed by fires, inflation, tariffs and geopolitical issues, but Visit Anaheim President and CEO Mike Waterman optimistically said 2026 is poised to be the best year in the organization’s 65-year history.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, perhaps optimistically, the TV Academy isn’t closing the door to once again splitting outstanding variety series into two.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Before boarding the bus, schoolboy Harrison Higgins, who bangs the drum, literally, for Darlo, optimistically predicts a 2-1 away win.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Yet university leaders have spoken optimistically about the future, bolstered by its new membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), its coaching staff and a $25 million renovation of its archaic football stadium.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Be optimistically realistic, as much as possible.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optimistically
Adverb
-
Harper is kind to her peers, collaborative, and consistently contributes positively to our program.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Along with more assurances that the city is absolutely positively definitely ready to handle the hundreds of thousands of international visitors, leaders laid out some party plans.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Her ability to thoughtfully consider others’ input while confidently contributing her own fosters an environment of mutual respect and intellectual growth.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
If a chat turns noisy, start by naming your priority, then direct the proceedings confidently while leaving room for others’ ideas.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
There will, hopefully, come a time when such a win won’t require a note clarifying racial identity.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Beginning early Saturday morning and ending, hopefully, before midnight, Anderson was walking a 50-mile circuit of his own design through the entire city of San Francisco.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Joined by Feig's wife, Laurie, and Byrne's partner, Bobby Cannavale, the star pulled out her phone and cheerfully snapped selfies of the foursome.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos likewise ripped Cameron, but Sarandos would still cheerfully kill to acquire a single new Cameron film over a hundred Red Notices and Rebel Moons.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optimistically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optimistically. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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