as in positively
in a positive or optimistic manner
After months of dwindling sales, the manager declared optimistically that "there is no place to go but up from here".
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Recent Examples of optimistically
This deal with Karademas quickly came together following that initial meeting, says Kemph, who is optimistically shooting for a grand opening for the new Leilani in September or October.
—
Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Once upon a time, a kids spa treatment meant glitter nail polish, a side braid and maybe a cucumber slice perched optimistically on a 9-year-old’s forehead.
—Kathryn Romeyn, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
In their January interview with IndieWire, Colligan and Garrett spoke optimistically about their business plan — but did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
The last time Jay Bhattacharya testified before Congress, in early February, the biomedical research community watched optimistically as the National Institutes of Health director downplayed the impact of last fall’s government shutdown on the pace of grant funding.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Before arriving, Warr also used Google Lens to search through the listing photos, and is confident that the Birth of Venus painting—recreated this time with furry cats—is worth $20 at most, even though the seller will optimistically tap her for $50.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
More optimistically, Templeman said that information technology as a whole is now trading on par with the rest of the market, even below valuations seen during the 2022 sell-off, at least in relative terms.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Anaheim’s tourism bureau saw 2025 slowed by fires, inflation, tariffs and geopolitical issues, but Visit Anaheim President and CEO Mike Waterman optimistically said 2026 is poised to be the best year in the organization’s 65-year history.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, perhaps optimistically, the TV Academy isn’t closing the door to once again splitting outstanding variety series into two.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Once upon a time, a kids spa treatment meant glitter nail polish, a side braid and maybe a cucumber slice perched optimistically on a 9-year-old’s forehead.
—Kathryn Romeyn, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
In their January interview with IndieWire, Colligan and Garrett spoke optimistically about their business plan — but did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
The last time Jay Bhattacharya testified before Congress, in early February, the biomedical research community watched optimistically as the National Institutes of Health director downplayed the impact of last fall’s government shutdown on the pace of grant funding.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Before arriving, Warr also used Google Lens to search through the listing photos, and is confident that the Birth of Venus painting—recreated this time with furry cats—is worth $20 at most, even though the seller will optimistically tap her for $50.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
More optimistically, Templeman said that information technology as a whole is now trading on par with the rest of the market, even below valuations seen during the 2022 sell-off, at least in relative terms.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Anaheim’s tourism bureau saw 2025 slowed by fires, inflation, tariffs and geopolitical issues, but Visit Anaheim President and CEO Mike Waterman optimistically said 2026 is poised to be the best year in the organization’s 65-year history.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, perhaps optimistically, the TV Academy isn’t closing the door to once again splitting outstanding variety series into two.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optimistically
Adverb
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The cosmos has three possible geometries—positively curved like a sphere, flat like an infinite plane or negatively curved like a saddle—but geometry alone doesn’t determine shape.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Although state legislative races rarely get the national spotlight, Democrats across the country were positively euphoric at the irony of their Republican nemesis being represented by one of their own.—
BILL BARROW,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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On the penalty kick, Olivia Moultrie confidently sent the ball to Lorena’s right as the Current goalkeeper dove the other direction.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The verdict The JW Marriott Tokyo confidently blends understated style with a sense of Japanese refinement, and the result is a tranquil, enchanting space in the beating heart of one of the world’s most intoxicating cities.—
Stephen Kelly,
TheWeek,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
But in a normal descent, Orion will hit the water, heat shield first, at a velocity of 15 to 17 mph and, hopefully for the crew, stay in that orientation without flipping over due to waves or wind.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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And hopefully some of them become Pro Bowl caliber talents like Achane, and pillars of the franchise like left tackle Patrick Paul.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Joined by Feig's wife, Laurie, and Byrne's partner, Bobby Cannavale, the star pulled out her phone and cheerfully snapped selfies of the foursome.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos likewise ripped Cameron, but Sarandos would still cheerfully kill to acquire a single new Cameron film over a hundred Red Notices and Rebel Moons.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optimistically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optimistically. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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