Synonyms of positive

positive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpä-zə-tiv 

1

as in favorable

expressing approval

hoped for a positive reaction from the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• favorable
• good
• appreciative
• friendly
• approving
• supportive
• complimentary
• commendatory
• admiring
• accepting
• warm
• sympathetic
• applauding
• respectful
• approbatory
• laudatory
• praiseful
• flattering
• eulogistic
• hagiographic
• panegyrical
• encomiastic
• worshipful
• advisory
• adoring
• laudative
• adulatory
• worshipping
• recommendatory
• idolizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negative
• unfavorable
• adverse
• derogatory
• unflattering
• uncomplimentary
• unfriendly
• disapproving
• unappreciative
• depreciative
• depreciatory
• critical
• inappreciative
• hypercritical
• captious
• overcritical
• faultfinding
• censuring
• disparaging
• contemptuous
• scornful
• disdainful
• carping
• belittling
• slighting
• caviling

2

as in confident

having or showing a mind free from doubt

I'm positive that this is the right direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confident
• sure
• certain
• assured
• implicit
• clear
• sanguine
• doubtless
• cocksure
• decisive
• resolute
• self-confident
• self-assured
• unwavering
• unhesitating
• unquestioning
• unfaltering
• self-conceited

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• dubious
• unsure
• hesitant
• indecisive
• unassuming
• wavering
• vacillating
• diffident

3

as in conclusive

not capable of being challenged or proved wrong

seeks positive proof that UFO's exist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conclusive
• definite
• undeniable
• irrefutable
• indisputable
• unquestionable
• incontrovertible
• incontestable
• certain
• indubitable
• unarguable
• irrefragable
• sure
• accomplished
• unanswerable
• unchallengeable
• inarguable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• decisive
• absolute
• clear
• uncontradicted
• undisputed
• unquestioned
• uncontested
• hands-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• problematic
• questionable
• controversial
• debatable
• negotiable
• arguable
• disputable
• uncertain
• answerable
• moot
• doubtful
• disputed
• inconclusive
• ambiguous
• dubious
• controvertible
• contradictable
• refutable
• theoretical
• indecisive
• equivocal
• academic
• speculative
• hypothetical
• doubtable
• iffy
• debated

positive

2 of 2

noun

as in yea

Related Words

• yea
• pro
• yes
• approval
• acceptance
• grace

Dissimilar Words

• negative
• no
• con
• nay
• non placet
• veto
• blackball

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective positive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of positive are certain, cocksure, and sure. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

When would certain be a good substitute for positive?

The meanings of certain and positive largely overlap; however, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When can cocksure be used instead of positive?

While in some cases nearly identical to positive, cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

When could sure be used to replace positive?

In some situations, the words sure and positive are roughly equivalent. However, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of positive

Adjective

But this week Johnson was able to tout the pardon power in a more positive light with football greats such as Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2002 after he was arrested with 175 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of his car near Dallas. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026

To make matters worse, federal funding for Brand USA, the national destination marketing organization, was cut deeply in mid-2025, leading to staff shortages that have reduced the country’s capacity to counter negative sentiment through positive promotion. —Frédéric Dimanche, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026

Noun

Parker excelling in that area was a big positive. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026

Overall, this fog is a net positive for San Joaquin County agriculture. —Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026