Synonyms of optimistic
: of, relating to, or characterized by optimism : feeling or showing hope for the future
an optimistic outlook
an optimistic economic forecast
a person with a hopeful, optimistic nature
I'm feeling optimistic about our chances.
The streets in question were magnificent commercial thoroughfares, … brimming with heavy streams of eager life—young, fresh, optimistic.Theodore Dreiser
optimistically adverb
thinking optimistically about the future
an optimistically upbeat forecast
Optimistically, he anticipates that nuclear weapons … will never be used in war again … Russell F. Weigley

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic
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.
Space Exploration Technologies posted its first quarterly report since going public, leaving analysts cautiously optimistic on the stock even as spending concerns sent shares lower. Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 Analysts are generally optimistic about Mistral’s prospects, but say catching the leading American and Chinese labs on model quality alone will be hard. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 Andrew Nardi, out with a ribcage injury, remains optimistic about returning this season, too. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Fans are no doubt excited to return to the optimistic, big-hearted world of Ted Lasso, but they would also be forgiven for forgetting some details about where the story left off. Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for optimistic

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimistic was in 1834

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimistic. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

optimistic

adjective
op·​ti·​mis·​tic
ˌäp-tə-ˈmis-tik
: showing optimism : expecting everything to come out all right : hopeful
optimistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on optimistic

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster