DEFEATIST Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

defeatist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of defeatist

as in hopeless

emphasizing or expecting the worst your defeatist attitude is depressing everyone else on the team!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defeatist

2 of 2

noun

as in realist

one who emphasizes bad aspects or conditions and expects the worst we told her that if she was going to be such a defeatist, she should keep her thoughts to herself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 defeatist

Adjective

Still, Joe’s criticism of Nathan’s negative energy is fair, particularly when his defeatist attitude is contrasted with Aesha’s absolute gameness. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 This defeatist sentiment is wrong and dangerous. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 11 May 2026 This defeatist thinking is misguided and assumes action will be futile. — Jim Costa, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026 Job seekers can game this defeatist death-spiral by recalculating their measure of success. — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025 China’s internet regulators have launched a campaign targeting online content that promotes negativity, pessimism, or defeatist attitudes and are urging netizens to report posts that violate these new standards. — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 The prime minister’s far-right political allies, on the other hand, have accused the chief of staff of leading a weak and defeatist approach that is preventing victory over Hamas, the officials said. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

Noun

Frank was trying to set realistic expectations for the season, but made comments that were interpreted as defeatist. — Jay Harris, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Hegseth largely declined to provide specifics, instead denouncing critics as defeatists, questioning their patriotism and insisting the mission had broad public support. — Nik Popli, Time, 29 Apr. 2026 The mood just feels a little defeatist right now. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatist

Adjective

This latest attempt to move, a hopeless punt to have his contract annulled in order to leave on a free sooner, will likely see anger return at Selhurst Park on Friday night against Manchester City.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Ever the hopeless romantic, Ted searches for the love of his life through a constant series of twists, turns, diversions, blue French horns, slap bets, and yellow umbrellas.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hopeless

Noun

The final batch continues to focus on the generations of the Buendía family living amid political infighting in Macondo while building up to the magical-realist masterpiece’s tragic end.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Ever the realist, Cox does know and freely admits his athlete’s distance preferences.

— Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of realist

Noun

That the earnestness the genre requires galls us cynics, who love to hide in our books, away from all those pesky bodies in the first place?

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Questions about whose interests Infantino is serving have developed beyond average cynics who tend to suspect this type of thing.

— Simon Hughes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of cynic

Adjective

Barcelona are pessimistic about their chances of landing Julian Alvarez.

— Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Some have made videos inspired by 2010s memes, others have celebrated the return of a platform that hearkens back to a time when many felt less pessimistic about the role of social media in their lives.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of pessimistic

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defeatism

defeatist

defeatists

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“Defeatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeatist. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of defeatist

adjective

noun

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