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

In the Philippines, Ruben Gianan is a veteran ranger at Masungi Georeserve, a member of The Long Run, a global network of nature-positive lodges and travel companies. — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

The leader that brings people together there will deserve positive recognition. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun

To be a net positive, AI in education must deliver on this promise. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Players cast the experience gained as a positive. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026