optimistic
adjective
op·ti·mis·tic
ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik 
: 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
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
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
The city’s recent success makes Melton optimistic that more will come, including potentially the new home for the Chicago Bears.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Many are optimistic the recent leadership change will begin to bear fruit.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Democrats’ optimism fell significantly Americans’ attitudes toward the future tend to shift when a new political party enters the White House — generally, the party in power grows more optimistic, while the party without control is more down.
—Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Both figures, Mamdani and Mero, grew their influence up from the ground level and make for an optimistic vision for the future.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimistic
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Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Many are optimistic the recent leadership change will begin to bear fruit.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Democrats’ optimism fell significantly Americans’ attitudes toward the future tend to shift when a new political party enters the White House — generally, the party in power grows more optimistic, while the party without control is more down.
—Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Both figures, Mamdani and Mero, grew their influence up from the ground level and make for an optimistic vision for the future.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimistic
Cite this Entry
“Optimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimistic. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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