DEFEATISM Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

defeatism

noun

Definition of defeatism

as in pessimism

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Recent Examples of defeatism Yet Hiller’s latest equivocating mea culpa, with the now-familiar language of hardship and defeatism so unbecoming of a professional hockey team, rang unconvincing. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026 And yet, as the deadline loomed, there were also legitimate reasons to temper such defeatism. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025 By contrast, maybe such language engenders a sense of defeatism, a belief in the inevitability of collapse which is collectively paralyzing. — Ed Simon september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025 This state of mind is defeatism in disguise, capitulating to discord, disorder, and defeat without even joining the battle. — Karen Neff, Christian Science Monitor, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for defeatism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeatism

Noun

Republicans have expressed growing pessimism about their chances in the election, which will determine control of Congress, as the president has repeatedly dismissed concerns about high costs and gas prices as his unpopular war in Iran drags on.

— MICHELLE L. PRICE, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Being the unintentional voice of political pessimism can make a person something of a pessimist.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of pessimism

Noun

The company did not disclose a reason for his resignation in its SEC filing.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
That exhaustive investigation, the Agranat Commission, led to numerous resignations and, eventually, the end of Golda Meir’s career as Prime Minister.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of resignation

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defeating

defeatism

defeatist

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

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Synonyms of defeatism

noun

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