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Glite Dictionary
Panglossian view

Panglossian view

9.9
An overly optimistic view that ignores real problems
  • noun
  • /pæŋˈɡloʊsiən vjuː/
  • Literature
translation icon : visión panglossiana
  • Despite the overwhelming evidence of climate change, he maintains a Panglossian view that everything will work out fine.

Examples

  • Her Panglossian view on the economy seemed misplaced, especially given the rising unemployment rates.

  • This Panglossian view just can't happen in modern America.

    Blog text (8)

  • This is a Panglossian view—to put it mildly.

    Blog text (23)

  • Fogbow is a nest of lawyers, lovely folk, very knowledgeable; I respect them greatly, but they are people who have an insider's affection for the legal system and a Panglossian view of it.

    Blog text (18)

  • The CEO's Panglossian view of the company's future ignored the significant challenges in the market.

Synonyms

rose-colored glasses
vsPanglossian view
  • Informal
5 5.1

A way of seeing things as better than they are and ignoring problems

is the same filtered positivity but expressed as a metaphorical image
Panglossian attitude
vsPanglossian view
  • Literature
9.9

An overly optimistic view that ignores real problems

is the same naive optimism but named as a mindset term
Pollyanna attitude
vsPanglossian view
8.2

Being too positive and ignoring real problems

is identical in idea but uses a different familiar label
Pollyannish perspective
vsPanglossian view
9.2

An overly optimistic view that ignores real problems

is the same excessive positivity but phrased with another common name
Pollyannaish belief
vsPanglossian view
9.9

An idea that things will always turn out well, even when there are problems

is the same blind optimism but called by a different familiar term
Pollyannaish outlook
vsPanglossian view
9.5

An overly optimistic view that ignores problems

is the same excessive optimism but given an alternate everyday label
Pollyannish approach
vsPanglossian view
9.6

An overly hopeful way of dealing with problems that ignores bad signs

is similar but is framed as a general perspective rather than a method
rosy perspective
vsPanglossian view
6.1

A view that is too positive and ignores problems

is the same unrealistic positivity but named with a classical term
roseate outlook
vsPanglossian view
7.5

An optimistic view of the future that is often unrealistic

is similar but uses a more literary or formal tone
rose-coloured view
vsPanglossian view
  • UK
6.0

Seeing things in a very positive way that ignores problems

is equivalent but uses a slightly different idiomatic expression
pure hopium
vsPanglossian view
  • Slang
9.9

Unrealistic hope despite clear signs it will not happen

is similar but the key stresses naive optimism in adversity rather than slangy hope
overoptimism
vsPanglossian view
6.1

Expecting only good results and ignoring risks

is more specific about naive optimism when facing contrary evidence

Antonyms

realistic
283 3.7

Having sensible ideas about what can be achieved

cynical
208 6.5

Not trusting people to have good intentions and expecting them to act for themselves

How Optimistic

Panglossian view
  • Literature
9.9
optimism
209 2.8
dying gasp of hope
  • Informal
8.1

Surface Forms

Panglossian view singular
Panglossian views plural

Morphology

Panglossian + view

The adjective 'Panglossian' denotes 'excessively optimistic' and 'view' means 'opinion', so the combined meaning ('an excessively or naively optimistic opinion') is directly derivable from the constituents. Although 'Panglossian' is a culture-specific reference (from Voltaire), the modifier+noun composition is straightforward for a learner who already knows both words.

Etymology

Panglossian view comes from Dr. Pangloss, a character in Voltaire's book 'Candide' who always said 'everything is for the best' even when bad things happened. That's why Panglossian view means being 'overly optimistic' or believing things will be fine even when there are obvious problems.