optimism
Americannoun
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a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
- Synonyms:
- cheerfulness, hopefulness, confidence
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the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
-
the belief that goodness pervades reality.
-
the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.
noun
-
the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things
-
hopefulness; confidence
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the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of good over evil
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the philosophical doctrine that this is the best of all possible worlds
Other Word Forms
- antioptimism noun
- optimist noun
- optimistic adjective
- optimistically adverb
- overoptimism noun
Etymology
Origin of optimism
First recorded in 1730–40; from French optimisme, from Latin optim(um) ( optimum ) + French -isme -ism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I am able to reach to people not only with logic, but also with inspiration, optimism and hope," she said.
From Barron's
The bad news comes after a few months of relative calm, and even optimism.
From Barron's
The bad news comes after a few months of relative calm, and even optimism.
From Barron's
It is that optimism that has been drained over the recent months.
From BBC
A volatile concoction of fears, relief, optimism and nerves around the issue has made it a roller-coaster week for markets.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
