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noun

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positive feedback
encouraging feedback
constructive feedback
affirmative feedback
favorable feedback
welcome feedback
a positive effect
a beneficial effect
a good effect
an important effect
a favorable effect
a healthy effect
a positive attitude
an optimistic attitude
a cheerful attitude
a healthy attitude
an upbeat attitude
a hopeful attitude

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
Working in Retirement: Good or Bad? For those who have taken on part-time work in retirement, the experience appears to be positive. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025 Even your relations with members of the general public will be reassuring and positive. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Noun
Baffert throughout has maintained his innocence, arguing that Medina Spirit’s positive arose from an ointment given to the horse for a skin rash – a credible explanation but not a provable one, according to lab testing experts. Katie Bo Lillis, CNN Money, 2 May 2025 Even when sentiment does sour though, retail investors are often trying to find the positives. Bret Kenwell, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for positive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for positive
Adjective
  • The administration is sounding like mercantilists, maximizing the nation’s wealth by increasing exports and minimizing imports, essentially creating a favorable balance of trade.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
  • What often occurs is that teams with favorable odds to land the top pick ultimately end up settling for a later selection within the top 10.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Smith was confident that a solution could be found.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • And while forever seems like a big word, Duritz feels confident that the band will be with us for quite a while longer.
    Gary Graff, Billboard, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps the most conclusive evidence assembled has been the 800 page report and interactive digital platform by experts at Forensic Architecture.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 May 2025
  • The filmmakers are never conclusive about Enzo’s burgeoning sexuality nor his plans for the future, and that’s clearly by design.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Also, unlike the debate over eight vs. nine conference games, the play-in weekend doesn’t have a set of yeas and nays.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Lions and Vikes are known for offense — who would have believed a few yeas ago that Jared Goff vs. Sam Darnold would be a marquee duel?
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are 5 of the best Our best wishes on a safe start to the day.
    Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 May 2025
  • The film topped Entertainment Weekly's 2022 list of Tom Cruise-starring projects ranked by grade, and came in just behind Born on the Fourth of July as containing Cruise's all-time best screen performance.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Even against the Rockies. Mission accomplished The end was underwhelming, for sure.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
  • And that grouping of films gave me my career, for sure.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Seafood Courses The eight courses begin with an amuse-bouche containing definite New York touches including a King Salmon Everything Bagel plus a suggestion of a smash burger but composed of the fatty tuna Otoro, egg yolk gelee and Choux pastry and an A5 Wagyu & Hokkaido Uni Sando.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • The auto speaks to a definite sense of nostalgia about a time four decades ago but has also been updated to become more user- and driver-friendly.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Harris is already considering making some changes in an attempt to counteract the prowess of the career Grand Slam winner and a select group of other pros who can bomb it into oblivion.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Women’s Pro Doubles Recap After an early round upset in the Fort Lauderdale open, No. 1 Megan Fudge & Jill Braverman came to Cincinnati with something to prove to the pairs of pros looking to dethrone them.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/positive. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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