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noun

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

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 positive
Adjective
Diaz tried to frame the 6-6 trip as a positive. Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025 Other longtime Lannon residents see the new developments as a positive. Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The award recognizes students for their positive efforts in raising awareness, effecting change regarding mental health and breaking down the stigma. Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025 Recent surveys show a positive perception shift about accounting careers, with recent graduates citing long-term earnings potential, work-life balance, and ability to make valuable contributions, as key benefits. Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for positive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for positive
Adjective
  • In the east, crews continued to build line between Wiseman Springs and Rancheria Creek, engaging the fire directly along its active edge where favorable.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Environmental conditions are favorable for development of this system, currently labeled as Invest 91L, and a tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend or early next week as the system moves slowly westward across the central tropical Atlantic.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the struggles from Nola this season, Phillies manager Rob Thomson remains confident in his right-hander.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The pet supplement space is crowded with options, many of which have cheerful packaging and confident claims, yet little transparency about efficacy.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The geranium and the gingko tree yield data but no conclusive results.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • But there are some good supporting turns, starting with Henry, Tony’s main Interpol contact, who appears from early episodes to be a good guy the leads are mistaking for a bad guy, although nothing is completely conclusive there right away.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At its peak, Armco, which owned the steel plant for almost 90 yeas, was Middletown's biggest employer.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025
  • That additional Republican vote gave the bill 51 yeas, so Vice President JD Vance did not need to cast a vote to break a tie.
    Erin Doherty, CNBC, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • All of the cats who tested this litter adjusted to it quickly and easily — some even had a little play date in their box, kicking and scratching, which is a good sign!
    Kayla Blanton, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Leisure’s best new hotels of 2021, Wander the Resort offers 10 luxurious glass-and-timber cabins along the quiet northern shores of West Lake.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Again, bold and daring and wild changes, sure, but also imaginative and illuminating.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The reason investors are so sure the cuts are coming is that underneath the weak headline number from the nonfarm payroll jobs report—just 22,000 new jobs—was even weaker data from the private sector.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The hurricane center has warned residents there to keep an eye on the system and will issue watches and warnings if its path looks more definite.
    Alex Harris Updated September 4, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
  • That said, there is some definite room for growth.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Then came Splash, in which Candy simultaneously supports Tom Hanks like a seasoned pro and steals the movie, and more than one of the doc’s talking heads points out that his hedonistic, smooth-talking character is a dead ringer for Johnny Toronto.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This course bundle is a solid launchpad for aspiring cyber pros or curious tech minds who want to stay ahead of today’s threats.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/positive. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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