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.
Blind pessimism becomes defeatism, a denial that solutions are possible. Big Think, 5 Feb. 2025 The defeatism that has come to define the way that many young people today perceive the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis is not really part of her vocabulary. Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025 The title is the central theme, brilliantly and often shockingly rendered via a series of lightly connected stories that mine the depths of defeatism, nihilism, and alienation. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2024 The defeatism that has come to define the way that many young people today perceive the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis is not really part of her vocabulary. Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defeatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defeatism. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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
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