negativism

Meanings

nounnegativism (countable and uncountable, plural negativisms)

countableuncountableA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude.
It's easier to sow inner dissension than to unite for betterment. Negativism can even be fun for some who have such limited vision that they can't "see" how mch has already been achieved by those who struggle rather than just bitch.
1981 August 15, Priscilla Golding, “A Disservice”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 5, page 4
countableuncountableA stubborn tendency to do the opposite of what one is asked.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouncharacterized by habitual skepticism and a disagreeable tendency to deny or oppose or resist suggestions or commands

Similar

negativity negativeness

Broader

quality

Also see

negativeness negativity

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From negative + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian негативизъм

негативизъм (negativizăm)A persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

Catalan negativisme

negativismeA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

French négativisme

négativismeA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

Italian negativismo

negativismoA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

Portuguese negativismo

negativismoA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

Slovak negativizmus

negativizmusA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

Spanish negativismo

negativismoA persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

timesaving

Cite this entry

APA

negativism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negativism

MLA

“negativism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negativism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “negativism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negativism.

Source: negativism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.