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
• hagiographical
• hagiographic
• panegyrical
• encomiastic
• worshipful
• advisory
• adoring
• laudative
• adulatory
• worshiping
• 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
• cavilling
• 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
• problematical
• controversial
• debatable
• negotiable
• arguable
• disputable
• uncertain
• answerable
• moot
• doubtful
• disputed
• inconclusive
• ambiguous
• dubious
• controvertible
• contradictable
• refutable
• iffy
• indecisive
• theoretical
• debated
• equivocal
• academic
• speculative
• hypothetical
• doubtable
• theoretic
• academical

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

The theater’s leaders say that there is no question that’s a positive. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

Speaking to Deadline, Sister Group COO and CFO Chris Fry focused on the positive. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025

Noun

Opening Smashing Machine in 3,345 locations is a far more aggressive move, although sources say A24 remains confident that the film will find its stride as word of mouth grows and becomes more positive. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025

Now Bezos too is saying an AI bubble exists, and has an even more positive outlook. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025