Defeatist
adjective
A person who expects or accepts defeat too readily.
His defeatist attitude is preventing him from trying new things
Often appears as...
- defeatist attitude
- defeatist mentality
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who has a tendency to expect failure or accept it too readily.
You are being a defeatist. Try to have a more positive worldview
Often appears as...
- being a defeatist
- defeatist in nature
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
A person who expects or accepts defeat too readily.
His defeatist attitude is preventing him from trying new things
Often appears as...
- defeatist attitude
- defeatist mentality
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who has a tendency to expect failure or accept it too readily.
You are being a defeatist. Try to have a more positive worldview
Often appears as...
- being a defeatist
- defeatist in nature
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The word 'defeatist' carries a negative emotional charge and suggests giving up easily.
Don't be so defeatist; with effort, you could solve the problem.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Perception
In many cultures, having a defeatist attitude is frowned upon, as resilience is valued.
His teammates criticized his defeatist stance after losing just one game.
Pro Tip 3/3Motivational Context
'Defeatist' is often used in motivational speeches to encourage a change in mindset.
To overcome challenges, you must abandon your defeatist outlook.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The word 'defeatist' carries a negative emotional charge and suggests giving up easily.
Don't be so defeatist; with effort, you could solve the problem.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Perception
In many cultures, having a defeatist attitude is frowned upon, as resilience is valued.
His teammates criticized his defeatist stance after losing just one game.
Pro Tip 3/3Motivational Context
'Defeatist' is often used in motivational speeches to encourage a change in mindset.
To overcome challenges, you must abandon your defeatist outlook.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The word 'defeatist' carries a negative emotional charge and suggests giving up easily.
Don't be so defeatist; with effort, you could solve the problem.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Perception
In many cultures, having a defeatist attitude is frowned upon, as resilience is valued.
His teammates criticized his defeatist stance after losing just one game.
Pro Tip 3/3Motivational Context
'Defeatist' is often used in motivational speeches to encourage a change in mindset.
To overcome challenges, you must abandon your defeatist outlook.
Never forget "Defeatist"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Quote examples
J. R. Moehringer
American Journalist
I've been trying to write a book since before I was old enough to vote, and I've collected many rejection slips from publishers and magazines. I used to keep them all stuck to my refrigerator, with magnets, but an ex-girlfriend told me they were depressing, and defeatist, and suggested I take them down. A very wise suggestion on her part.
Quote examples
Barkha Dutt
Indian Journalist
When Sania Mirza says she feels hurt or fed up at constantly grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons, it's an understandable reaction. But when she goes ahead to say she doesn't want to play in India anymore, we can't help thinking it's the sort of thing you'd expect a defeatist to say.
Quote examples
Jimmy Barnes
Scottish Musician
Around 2001, I went to rehab in Arizona, and I started to see what was going on and how the past affected me. I started to get a grip on it. But over the next decade, I reverted to the behaviour I used to protect myself when I was young - being mindless, being defeatist and full of bravado.
Quote examples
Gina Miller
Guyanese Activist
When we're anxious we tend to shrink into a defeatist position, curving our shoulders or backs. Learning to stand straight, take a breath and speak slowly helps to project a sense of confidence, relieving some of that anxiety.
Quote examples
Conor Oberst
American Musician
I have a lot of friends that take that position of extreme cynicism, and I just can't let myself go to that place. It's just too easy, and it's just too defeatist.
Quote examples
Louise Mensch
English Author
Of course women can have it all - if they want it all. I won't hear any defeatist talk. If you just dwell on problems, you won't get anywhere fast.
Quote examples
Thom Tillis
American Politician
Instead of focusing on this sort of defeatist mentality where we've gotta up the minimum wage, why don't we focus on creating better-paying jobs?
Quote examples
Paul Dini
American Writer
In every story I've written with Batman, there's an element of justice - you never want to have the story end on a defeatist or a cynical note.
Quote examples
Christopher Reeve
American Actor
It's defeatist to harp on what might have been, and yet, it's hard to resist considering what might have been.
Quote examples
Ted Cruz
American Politician
The single biggest surprise about arriving to the Senate is the defeatist attitude here.
Quote examples
J. R. Moehringer
American Journalist
I've been trying to write a book since before I was old enough to vote, and I've collected many rejection slips from publishers and magazines. I used to keep them all stuck to my refrigerator, with magnets, but an ex-girlfriend told me they were depressing, and defeatist, and suggested I take them down. A very wise suggestion on her part.
Quote examples
Barkha Dutt
Indian Journalist
When Sania Mirza says she feels hurt or fed up at constantly grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons, it's an understandable reaction. But when she goes ahead to say she doesn't want to play in India anymore, we can't help thinking it's the sort of thing you'd expect a defeatist to say.
Quote examples
Jimmy Barnes
Scottish Musician
Around 2001, I went to rehab in Arizona, and I started to see what was going on and how the past affected me. I started to get a grip on it. But over the next decade, I reverted to the behaviour I used to protect myself when I was young - being mindless, being defeatist and full of bravado.
Quote examples
Gina Miller
Guyanese Activist
When we're anxious we tend to shrink into a defeatist position, curving our shoulders or backs. Learning to stand straight, take a breath and speak slowly helps to project a sense of confidence, relieving some of that anxiety.
Quote examples
Conor Oberst
American Musician
I have a lot of friends that take that position of extreme cynicism, and I just can't let myself go to that place. It's just too easy, and it's just too defeatist.
Quote examples
Louise Mensch
English Author
Of course women can have it all - if they want it all. I won't hear any defeatist talk. If you just dwell on problems, you won't get anywhere fast.
Quote examples
Thom Tillis
American Politician
Instead of focusing on this sort of defeatist mentality where we've gotta up the minimum wage, why don't we focus on creating better-paying jobs?
Quote examples
Paul Dini
American Writer
In every story I've written with Batman, there's an element of justice - you never want to have the story end on a defeatist or a cynical note.
Quote examples
Christopher Reeve
American Actor
It's defeatist to harp on what might have been, and yet, it's hard to resist considering what might have been.
Quote examples
Ted Cruz
American Politician
The single biggest surprise about arriving to the Senate is the defeatist attitude here.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension