negativism

American  

[neg-uh-ti-viz-uhm] / ˈnɛg ə tɪˌvɪz əm /

noun

1. a negative or pessimistic attitude.

2. Psychology.  a tendency to resist external commands, suggestions, or expectations, or internal stimuli, as hunger, by doing nothing or something contrary or unrelated to the stimulus.

3. any system of negative philosophy, as agnosticism or skepticism.

---

negativism British  

/ ˈnɛɡətɪvˌɪzəm /

noun

1. a tendency to be or a state of being unconstructively critical

2. any sceptical or derisive system of thought

3. psychiatry refusal to do what is expected or suggested or the tendency to do the opposite

---

Other Word Forms

• negativist noun
• negativistic adjective
• nonnegativism noun
• nonnegativistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of negativism

First recorded in 1815–25; negative + -ism

Example Sentences

"We have run a very positive campaign because we want to get rid of all the negativism in the Netherlands over the past few years," he told AFP.

From Barron's

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she was working to address financial system vulnerabilities and economic risks, but cautioned against too much negativism in the outlook.

From Reuters

“I wouldn’t overdo the negativism about the global economy,” Ms. Yellen said.

From New York Times

The vice president had a reputation for being President Nixon’s attack dog and skewering political opponents as “nattering nabobs of negativism,” “vicars of vacillation” and “pusillanimous pussyfooters.”

From Seattle Times

The Trump nightmare still disturbs us, disgorging the egomaniac’s negativism and allowing us no rest from his divisiveness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• action
• hostility
• resistance
• struggle