defeatism

noun

de·​feat·​ism di-ˈfē-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce defeatism (audio)
dē-
: an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat
defeatist noun or adjective

Examples of defeatism in a Sentence

We must not give in to defeatism. We must be 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.
The billionaire founder’s defeatism—and private contemplation about leaving the U.S.—are shared by a cadre of wealthy Democratic Party backers, who have been left licking their wounds and trying to move forward after Harris’s defeat, the Times reported. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024 When one is tasked with making a decision, particularly those large-scale in nature that yield decidedly good or decidedly bad results, that individual may opt for defeatism and make no decision at all. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 Biden was compelled not by any fair comparison to the character and record of the Republican nominee, but by how polls had spread defeatism and panic among other party leaders, down-ballot Democrats and major donors. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2024 But Newbury believes that this inevitable incumbency effect has been compounded by a sense of apathy and defeatism in the sector. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Europe, 3 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for defeatism 

Word History

Etymology

defeat entry 2 + -ism

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defeatism was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near defeatism

Cite this Entry

“Defeatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defeatism. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

defeatism

noun
de·​feat·​ism di-ˈfēt-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce defeatism (audio)
: an attitude of expecting defeat or of accepting defeat with the belief that further effort would be useless
defeatist noun or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on defeatism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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