optimism Hear it!

optimism Definition

op·ti·mism (äp′tə miz′əm)

noun

  1. Philos.
    1. the doctrine held by Leibniz and others that the existing world is the best possible
    2. the doctrine or belief that good ultimately prevails over evil
  2. the tendency to take the most hopeful or cheerful view of matters or to expect the best outcome

Etymology: Fr optimisme < L optimus, best: see optimum

optimism Related Forms
op′·ti·mist (-mist) noun op′·ti·mis′·tic (-mis′tik) adjective or op′·ti·mis′·ti·cal op′·ti·mis′·ti·cally adverb
optimism Synonyms

optimism

n.

  1. Belief in the essential goodness of the universe

    idealism, mysticism, logical realism, philosophy of goodness, belief in progress, Leibnitz's doctrine; see also faith, idealism 2.

    Antonyms sadness*, pessimism, cynicism.

  2. An inclination to expect or to hope for the best

    cheerfulness, hopefulness, confidence, assurance, sanguineness, encouragement, happiness, brightness, enthusiasm, good cheer, exhilaration, buoyancy, trust, looking on the bright side, seeing through rose-colored glasses, calmness, elation, expectancy, expectation, anticipation, easiness, sureness, Pollyannaism, certainty.

    Antonyms gloom*, despair, melancholy.

optimism Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • prospect: Concerns over the strong pound have meant that export optimism about prospects for the year ahead has fallen heavily in every region.

Converse of object

  • misplace: Dan Rookwood Thursday July 3, 2003 1pm update: Misplaced patriotic optimism?
  • exude: The letters Rommel sent to Schmundt ( which the colonel undoubtedly showed to Hitler ) exuded optimism from every line.
  • renew: Could you please renewed optimism more time in life.
  • reflect: Ariès surveyed the gamut of childhood, finding it to be a largely happy age, perhaps reflecting postwar triumphal optimism.
  • inspire: Ellingham Mill at low water The effects of change can inspire optimism.

Adjective modifier

  • cautious: The results we review give grounds for cautious optimism.
  • guarded: Marsh is good at mixing cynicism with guarded optimism.
  • renewed: For instance say renewed optimism more allows you to.
  • naive: All this must not, however, lead to a naive optimism.
  • unrealistic: Zerzan's unrealistic optimism is merely the flipside of the pessimism that comes with defeat.
  • boundless: On the other, there is a kind of boundless optimism.

Modifies a noun

  • bias: For more on optimism bias see the Green Book.
  • adjustment: Note, however, that allowance for risk is not a complete substitute for optimism bias adjustment.
  • index: The UK optimism index continues to advance from its low in July last year.
  • assumption: The outcome would be changed most significantly by the revised optimism bias assumptions we suggest.

Noun used with modifier

  • naive: This isn't naïve optimism, it's God's promised future.

Preposition: of

  • youth: With all the optimism of youth, they sang and danced to raise funds for the British Red Cross.
  • will: There is a well-worn motto on the left; pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
optimism Quotes

Pessimism, whenyouget usedtoit, isjust as agreeableas optimism.

—Bennett, (Enoch) Arnold