negativism

noun

neg·​a·​tiv·​ism ˈne-gə-ti-ˌvi-zəm How to pronounce negativism (audio)
1
: an attitude of mind marked by skepticism especially about nearly everything affirmed by others
2
: a tendency to refuse to do, to do the opposite of, or to do something at variance with what is asked
negativist
ˈne-gə-ti-vist How to pronounce negativism (audio)
noun or adjective
negativistic
ˌne-gə-ti-ˈvi-stik How to pronounce negativism (audio)
adjective

Examples of negativism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
It can be characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance and avoidance from one’s responsibilities, or feelings of negativism, cynicism, and despair. — Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Mar. 2024 That’s important in our current vortex of negativism. — Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

negative entry 1 + -ism

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of negativism was in 1824

Rhymes for negativism

See All Rhymes for negativism

Browse Nearby Words

negativism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Negativism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negativism. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

negativism

noun
neg·​a·​tiv·​ism ˈneg-ət-iv-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce negativism (audio)
1
: an attitude of mind marked by skepticism about nearly everything affirmed by others
2
: a tendency to refuse to do, to do the opposite of, or to do something at variance with what is asked
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

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

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
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 Word Game 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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All