Pollyanna 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of Pollyannanext
as in optimistic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Pollyanna

2 of 2

noun

as in optimist

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 Pollyanna
Noun
Chris Howe directed the hour, with Gilligan exec producing alongside David Geli and Pollyanna McGirr. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026 Despite his on-screen demise, Burke — who shares daughter Bluesy LaRue Burke with ex-wife Pollyanna Rose — has learned a lot about parenting from his character. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025 Burke was previously married to actress Pollyanna Rose, per the Los Angeles Times. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025 Alexi’s tutu-twirling positivity should not be confused with Pollyanna, nor her quirky insights with naiveté. — Rich Roll, Outside, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Pollyanna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pollyanna
  1. optimistic
  2. optimist
  3. hopeful
  4. Micawber
  5. rosy
  6. idealist
  7. upbeat
  8. dreamer
Adjective
  • She’s mentored by Jae (Major Curda), a member of Ellora’s municipal Bending Brigade, and his captain Karthik (Akshay Khanna), who has a more optimistic view of the Avatar’s potential than those that blame her for ending the world.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Zhang plays optimistic puzzle master Florence, and Sula is Conrad’s estranged daughter and criminal psychologist Astrid.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Noun
  • Other studies have found that people with a positive mindset are 31% more productive and that optimists outsell their pessimistic peers by 37%.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But there are still optimists who point out the potential upside is still vast.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of optimist
Adjective
  • The two women are themselves influencers who previously accused former gubernatorial hopeful Tom Steyer and, earlier this week, Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman of similar infractions.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Hager is hopeful many of his members will follow that endorsement.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hopeful
Noun
  • Ostrom also believes that this community is special and hopes to build a community backup from what used to be at Micawber's.
    — Ray Campos, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The smallest of the Micawber brood glides away in his baby carriage, because the bailiff is dragging the hallway carpet out from under the front door.
    — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, 16 Sep. 2020
Definition of Micawber
Adjective
  • Arrive to the hotel by boat from the train station or airport and glide up an empty canal to the water entrance where a grand, rosy Gothic building rises out of the water.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Meta’s Muse agent mascot, named Jolly, is a fuzzy, chubby, rosy-cheeked creature that’s part-Labubu, part-Squishmallow.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rosy
Noun
  • Jeffrey Epstein is mentioned, as is Jimmy Kimmel, whose interview with this fresh-faced idealist was not allowed to air on ABC's airwaves.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2026
  • At its core, Dark Matter is a series about the folly and hubris of humankind, even when — nay, especially when — idealists have the power to achieve transformative change.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of idealist
Adjective
  • The upbeat pop-rock track follows her debut solo album, Rosie, and represents a brighter, more playful turn from some of the emotional pieces on that project.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Bakker offered upbeat sermons and Tammy Faye, charismatic and always wearing her trademark heavy mascara, sang.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of upbeat
Noun
  • At a time when so many of us were trying our damnedest to avoid the draft, Oliver was an idealistic dreamer whose desire for adventure led him to enlist in the army.
    — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • When veteran producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler offer him a check for $300,000, around $2 million today when adjusted for inflation, the young dreamer says no.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of dreamer

Browse Nearby Words

pollutions
Pollyanna
Pollyannaish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pollyanna. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All