positive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpä-zə-tiv How to pronounce positive (audio)
Definition of positivenext
1
as in favorable
expressing approval hoped for a positive reaction from the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confident
having or showing a mind free from doubt I'm positive that this is the right direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in conclusive
not capable of being challenged or proved wrong seeks positive proof that UFO's exist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

positive

2 of 2

noun

as in yea

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
The drugs may also have other positive and far-reaching effects, though the supporting evidence for some remains more limited. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Parton was known not only for her positive attitude, but also for her humility, often shying away from taking credit for her success. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Players cast the experience gained as a positive. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Instead of harping on the negatives and problems, center and rest your energy on the positives and protect your peace to wash away some of your worries. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for positive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for positive
  1. favorable
  2. confident
  3. conclusive
  4. yea
  5. good
  6. sure
  7. definite
  8. pro
Adjective
  • Sulfolane has received less favorable assessments under more recent solvent-selection guidance, including concerns around reproductive toxicity.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That, coupled with a favorable schedule featuring home games against TCU, BYU, Baylor, Arizona State and Iowa State, should help the Knights become bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2023 season.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • Other than that, he’s never seemed confident that the future will turn out all right, although he’s kept on working out his worries onscreen, forever hunting for flakes of hope in the rubble.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Coyote first hoodwinks and then forces Kevin into his lawsuit plans, taking Acme to task in a way the corporation, confident in its imperviousness, finds laughable.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • Metagenomic testing on blood samples, which is also becoming more common, is not always conclusive; localized infections don’t always reach the bloodstream.
    — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Officials concluded that the video did not offer conclusive proof that a person fell off the ship.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Noun
  • There have been a couple of voluntary buyouts during the past 25 yeas.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
  • And on July 2, after the arrival of British forces in New York lent the proceedings new urgency, Congress did, in fact, declare independence—with a vote of 12 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 abstention.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 July 2026
Definition of yea
Adjective
  • Best Amazon End-of-Season Patio Furniture Deals The end-of-season patio furniture deals at Amazon are too good to pass up.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Grichuk put a good swing on a slider while flying out to left field.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Other people aren’t always so sure who John Malkovich is either.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Shopping a single designer’s collection is also a sure-fire way to have a cohesive nursery that isn’t too matchy-matchy.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of sure
Adjective
  • Serving a vital manufacturing and export region in China, the Shenzhen facility supports growing cross-border trade, e-commerce shipments and time-definite international express services.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But there are definite issues with trying to juggle everything at the same time.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of definite
Noun
  • The fourth-year pro might have had some value on the trade market, but the Raiders could see more value in having him as an insurance option for Cousins if Mendoza isn’t ready to play just yet.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • If Oda decides to come stateside as a pro, he would be considered an international free agent.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pro

Browse Nearby Words

positions
positive
positively
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Cite this Entry

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

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