positive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpä-zə-tiv How to pronounce positive (audio)
Definition of positivenext
1
as in favorable
expressing approval hoped for a positive reaction from the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confident
having or showing a mind free from doubt I'm positive that this is the right direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in conclusive
not capable of being challenged or proved wrong seeks positive proof that UFO's exist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

positive

2 of 2

noun

as in yea

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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For
Try This
positive feedback
encouraging feedback
constructive feedback
affirmative feedback
favorable feedback
welcome feedback
a positive effect
a beneficial effect
a good effect
an important effect
a favorable effect
a healthy effect
a positive attitude
an optimistic attitude
a cheerful attitude
a healthy attitude
an upbeat attitude
a hopeful attitude

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective positive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of positive are certain, cocksure, and sure. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

When would certain be a good substitute for positive?

The meanings of certain and positive largely overlap; however, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When can cocksure be used instead of positive?

While in some cases nearly identical to positive, cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

When could sure be used to replace positive?

In some situations, the words sure and positive are roughly equivalent. However, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of positive
Adjective
The positives of the final few minutes are not something Reeve will dwell on. —Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 July 2025 In the past, athletics officials at the very highest echelons of the sport have covered up doping positives for marathoners such as Liliya Shobukhova—and taken bribes to do so. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 July 2025
Noun
Lee had a positive run along Rest Bay, hitting 67 to go 7-under-par and into third place. —Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025 China has an 83% positive view, Indonesia 80%, and Thailand 77%. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for positive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for positive
  1. favorable
  2. confident
  3. conclusive
  4. yea
  5. good
  6. sure
  7. definite
  8. pro
Adjective
  • YouGov/Economist also reported a decline, from 39 percent favorable and 45 percent unfavorable in January to 37 percent favorable and 51 percent unfavorable in July.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The risk-benefit ratio of the COVID-19 vaccination remains strongly favorable.
    — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • Blackburn is confident the state will boost warning systems soon, but said that turning the tide on land use regulations could take years.
    — Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Yet, 60% aren't confident in their organization’s data-AI readiness to enable this outcome.
    — Jesse Todd, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • To date, there is no conclusive evidence that tattoos cause skin cancer; however, researchers are investigating whether there could be a link.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 28 July 2025
  • According to a comprehensive account by David Makovsky in The New Yorker, the agents extracted conclusive evidence from Othman’s computer: Syria was secretly building a plutonium reactor, Al Kibar, with help from North Korea.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Definition of conclusive
Noun
  • At its peak, Armco, which owned Middletown's steel company for almost 90 yeas, was the town's biggest employer.
    — Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • That additional Republican vote gave the bill 51 yeas, so Vice President JD Vance did not need to cast a vote to break a tie.
    — Erin Doherty, CNBC, 29 June 2025
Definition of yea
Adjective
  • The cocktails are classic and the wine list is so good that it's been lauded by Wine Spectator magazine.
    — Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
  • Despite that, the Lyriq-V’s looks, comfort and features are as good as anything on the road.
    — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Not sure how to get around Austin for the MLS All-Star match?
    — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
  • Not sure why, but its order outlook is far worse than thought.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 July 2025
Definition of sure
Adjective
  • The city offers little in the way of culinary variety — a definite downside for food lovers seeking new and exciting options, according to the study.
    — Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
  • This in itself makes a refreshing change from the usual baffling Marvel McGuffin, and even though the outcome is wholly predictable, there’s a definite frisson in the sight of The Herald’s liquid-metal hand trying to snatch Sue’s baby from the womb.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Definition of definite
Noun
  • But undeterred, the multi-hyphenate took the moment in stride and kept going like a pro.
    — Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 24 July 2025
  • Unfortunately, that opportunity doesn't extend to LIV Golf pros.
    — Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of pro

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positions
positive
positively
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Cite this Entry

“Positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/positive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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