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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
Zhao found that in 2018 just over half of rebrands typically lead to positive stock returns. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 Does Pete in that moment feel that one death could lead to positive societal change? Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for positive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for positive
Adjective
  • So, all in all, hair questions seem like a favorable thing.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Political stability, a favorable family-office regime, independent courts, and Mandarin fluency made Singapore a natural draw for China's super-rich.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Republican strategist Michael Biundo was among many to observe how confident Kirk was from the jump, how undaunted by being new to the scene and often the youngest person in the mix.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It was created with the intention of promoting AI fluency and a future-ready, AI-confident workforce.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The findings were intriguing, but not conclusive.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Trans athletes and their advocates, meanwhile, say there is a lack of consistent, conclusive research to support this claim and argue trans people deserve the right to compete with their peers.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sure, word warfare can nudge us on some issues – like yea or nay on a state infrastructure initiative or a county sales tax or a school district bond.
    Sarah Stein Lubrano, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • After 10 tumultuous years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kadri delivered his best campaign with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, posting 89 points in the regular season and finishing by hoisting the Stanley Cup.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The director is also sure to face questions about the scores of firings that have rocked the bureau, the FBI’s role in reviewing the Epstein files and a number of other moves that Democrats argue have politicized the FBI.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Meltzer is not quite sure how to handle this phase of Birkin’s life.
    Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While the San Francisco 49ers started off their 2025 NFL schedule with a 17-13 road win over the Seattle Seahawks, there are definite reasons for their fans to be concerned.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • That’s been valuable, but even then, there’s no definite timeline for how long this lasts.
    Melissa Showers, Flow Space, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Maksim’s brother, Val Chmerkovskiy, and his wife, Jenna Johnson, are both long-running DWTS pros and winners, and will appear on the upcoming 34th season.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • And yet, according to Pluralsight's 2023 State of Upskilling Report, only 21% of tech pros feel very confident in their cloud skills.
    Ankit Pathak, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/positive. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on positive

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