negativism

[ neg-uh-ti-viz-uhm ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌnegativˈistic, adjective
• ˈnegativist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• nega·tiv·ist noun
• nega·tiv·istic adjective
• non·nega·tiv·ism noun
• nonneg·a·tiv·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of negativism¹

First recorded in 1815–25; negative + -ism

Example Sentences

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

“So, we’ve got to be in a position to overcome all of that negativism that they’re going to be throwing at us, in addition to what they already have in place.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• action
• hostility
• resistance
• struggle