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negativist

negativist

9.1
A person who always sees the bad side of things and offers no solutions
  • noun
  • /ˈnɛɡətɪˌvɪst/
translation icon : negativista
  • It can be difficult to work with a negativist who consistently dismisses new ideas.

Examples

  • He is such a negativist about everything!

  • The team's negativist attitude affected the morale of everyone involved.

  • As a negativist, he seldom offered solutions and focused mostly on problems.

  • Many negativists tend to drain the energy from discussions.

  • As a confirmed negativist, he always pointed out the flaws in every plan without offering solutions.

  • Despite the team's efforts, her negativist attitude discouraged everyone from trying new ideas.

  • Being a negativist in discussions often leads to missed opportunities for improvement.

Synonyms

naysayer
vsnegativist
28 7.0

A person who often says that plans or ideas will not work

focuses on negative outlook and may accept defeat without offering help
pessimist
vsnegativist
25 3.9

A person who expects bad things to happen

sees only negatives and can accept defeat without suggesting fixes
defeatist
vsnegativist
12 7.4

A person who expects failure and gives up instead of trying to solve problems

is negative and stays resigned without offering positive suggestions
Debbie Downer
vsnegativist
  • Offensive
2 8.6

A person who often says negative things and lowers people's mood

is negative more generally and may also accept defeat without solutions
negative Nancy
vsnegativist
  • Offensive
1 8.9

A person who always expects bad things to happen

is similar but also often resigned and gives no positive suggestions
negative Nelly
vsnegativist
  • Offensive
1 8.2

A person who always expects the worst and often complains

is similar yet emphasizes resignation and not offering constructive ideas
Negative Ned
vsnegativist
  • Offensive
8.7

A person who always sees the bad side of things

is similar but stresses acceptance of defeat without proposing solutions
negative bitchola
vsnegativist
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who often thinks things will go wrong and complains

is the same idea but rude in tone rather than neutral

Antonyms

63 3.2

A person who usually expects good things to happen

How Pessimistic

pessimist
25 3.9
negativist
9.1
cynic
39 5.8
realist
30 4.4
optimist
63 3.2

Surface Forms

negativist singular
negativists plural

Morphology

negativist = negative (transparent) = negative + ist

Regular derivation: 'negative' (characterized by pessimism) + '-ist' forms 'one who tends to be negative', a straightforward agentive formation.

Etymology

Negativist breaks down into neg- 'no' or 'to deny' and -ist 'person', just like artist, and a helpful way to remember it is to think of a person who finds the 'no' in everything. That's why a negativist often sees only the bad side of things and rarely offers positive ideas.